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Bar Harbor Times (June 16,2008)
The Southwest Harbor/Tremont Chamber of Commerce announced this week that Island Connections has been named the winner of the Citizen of the Year Award for 2007’for its many years of service to the citizens of Mount Desert Island.
“The citizen of MDI should be deeply appreciative of the multiple services and dedication of it many volunteers spanning a number of years and today when the cost of everything and especially gasoline have climbed so high,” said Bruce Carlson, executive director of the Chamber, in a press release. “It has been through the generous donations of the public that allows this type of community service to survive. This continued support stands well for Island Connections and the spirit and loyalty of the people of Mount Desert Island.
Island Connections seeks to provide free services to the elderly and people with disabilities on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding offshore islands that will enable them to live independently and with a strong quality of life.
For more than 11years, Island Connections has provided seniors with a friendly way out of the house, a chance to interact with a volunteer, and a means to access needed community services. Destinations vary – Island neighbors receive rides to dialysis in Ellsworth, and cancer treatments at Eastern Maine in Bangor, which our volunteers graciously did on over 800 trips last year. Other destinations include grocery stores, pharmacies, hairdressers, and the Food Pantry.
Volunteers provide the great majority of rides for seniors and those with disabilities with destinations on MDI and in the greater Ellsworth and Bangor areas.
Services are provided free of charge to residents of Mount Desert Island and the surrounding offshore islands who are at least 62 years of age - without any income qualifications. Many of the seniors who use Island Connections for transportation fall into the category of physically frail elderly, for whom there aren’t other good transportation options.
Another important service Island Connections offers is the opportunity for the island’s seniors to live a more active and independent life. In the past year, Island Connections has sponsored over 60 different social events for seniors such as Bingo, the Bangor Flower Show, movies at Reel Pizza in Bar Harbor, picnics, and tea and popovers at Jordon Pond House. Additionally, Island Connections works in coordination with “Meals for Me” and delivers over 2,000 hot meals each year.
Sue Olson, Program Director, is the driving force of Island Connections organizing these events and coordinating the teams of volunteers, around 150, that make this organization one of the most successful in the area. Jean Barker, a long time volunteer, works closely with Sue to schedule the 5,000 rides per year.
The present offices and board of Island Connections are President Jeff Nichols; Vice President, Jan Varnum; Treasurer, Dick Salisbury. Secretary, Mel Everly; and board members being Ann Heisey, Judy Holmes, Alison King, John Lawrence, Noel Musson, Kristin Ottman, Bob Raymond, Alice Rieser and Joe Wright.
On Sunday, June 29 a formal reception and award service will be held at the Harbor Ridge Resort in Southwest Harbor, 39 Freeman Ridge Road, from 2-4 p.m. The public is invited; light refreshments will be served so the Chamber requests RSVP by June 26 by calling 244 – 9264 or emailing quietside@acadiachamber.com.
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