BANGOR, ME—United Way of Eastern Maine (UWEM) is pleased to announce the success of the region’s 2021-2022 fundraising campaign, surpassing the $1.63 million goal by 19%. The announcement was shared with donors as part of the Campaign Celebration in May.
Shirar Patterson, President & CEO of the organization, says “The outpouring of community support in a year when so many are facing challenges has been truly incredible. Each and every dollar raised through this effort combines to make a powerful impact on the lives of more than 100,000 people in our region. We are grateful to each and every donor and business that gets behind this critically important fundraising effort. By surpassing our goal donor support will make it possible for United Way to help even more people.”
The Campaign Celebration, sponsored this year by Bangor Savings Bank, was held at Orono Brewing Company in Orono. “Our goal was to create a festive and safe outdoor event that celebrated the success of the campaign,” said Patterson. In addition to the campaign announcement, Employee Campaign Manager of the Year Jessica Ward from Sutherland Weston, was recognized for her volunteer efforts. Campaign managers play crucial roles in rallying employees to participate in fundraisers and the campaign.
Twenty-six organizations were honored with 2021-22 campaign awards celebrating their commitment to the United Way campaign, including Sargent Corporation as this year’s only Platinum Award Winner. This year’s award is a Cat’s Meow commemorative replica of the downtown Bangor building with the new Hopeful sign. Hopeful was the theme of the campaign.
The following companies were recognized with Campaign Awards. Platinum Award Campaign: Sargent Corporation. Gold Award Campaigns: Community Compass, General Electric, Good Samaritan Agency, Haley Ward, Inc. (formerly CES, Inc.), Means Wealth Management, and Sutherland Weston, Inc. Silver Award Campaigns: Bangor Housing, Bangor Savings Bank, BerryDunn, Bucksport Community Health Center, Casco Bay Energy Company, LLC, Cobscook Institute, Darling’s, Friends in Action, Gross, Minsky, & Mogul, P.A., Machias Savings Bank, Partners for Peace, and Penobscot Community Health Care. Bronze Award Campaigns: BBSC CPAs, City of Bangor, Health Equity Alliance, L.L. Bean, Northern Light Health, Rudman Winchell Counselors at Law, and Tyler Technologies.