UNITED WAY ANNOUNCES NAME CHANGE

BANGOR, ME—United Way of Eastern Maine (UWEM) announced today that it has formally changed its name to Heart of Maine United Way (HoMEUW). 

“After vetting several options the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that Heart of Maine was the best fit,” said Shirar Patterson, President & CEO Heart of Maine United Way. “The name represents both geography and the wonderful people that make our part of Maine so very special.” 

In January, United Way announced a geographic expansion that now includes Somerset County as part of the UW service area. Since then Heart of Maine United Way has been in the process of making this change, including receiving feedback from surrounding United Ways as well as approval from United Way Worldwide. 

“United Way has been a cornerstone in this community for 85 years. True to these roots, we continue to be the organization that you can count on to meet the communities’ most pressing needs,” said Patterson. 

Established in 1937 as the “Community Chest,” we have transformed from serving the single community of Bangor to representing a six-county region.  

The announcement was made at the Annual Breakfast Wednesday morning in Bangor.  

#### 

Since 1937 Heart of Maine United Way (HoMEUW) has been mobilizing the caring power of people and communities throughout Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Somerset, and Washington Counties to provide essential services and identify solutions aimed at creating lasting changes to the root causes of the community’s most pressing needs. HoMEUW is focused on improving Education, Health, and Financial Stability for all; helping tens of thousands of people access basic services in times of crisis while engaging hundreds of individuals and organizations to improve our communities and make them stronger. For more information on HoMEUW and our work visit www.HoMEUnitedWay.org or call us at (207)941-2800.