Here's a look at the people and agencies who were also nominated for a 2 Those Who Care Award in 2010.
PAM BOURQUE-- Recently at the Tremont School in Bass Harbor, Maine, a student became frustrated with learning how to read, to the point of giving up entirely. But after reading with Timber, a Labrador retriever, the same student eventually entered the library and announced enthusiastically, "Come on, let's read!" Just one of the many success stories, thanks to Pam Bourque, and her dogs Timber and Rissa.
Not only do Pam, Timber and Rissa provide patience and understanding while reading with struggling students, they also visit area hospitals, nursing homes and libraries. For students, the kids snuggle with the dogs and read in a cozy environment, with no criticism or embarrassment. For the elderly and ill, they provide peace and comfort. Pam speaks, coaches and encourages, and with her dogs, they nurture, care and love.
ERIN CALLAWAY-- Erin Callaway of Dover-Foxcroft has been a hospice volunteer since 2002, providing bereavement support for those grieving the loss of a loved one. As she helps those in need, Erin works to educate others about grief and the best ways to provide support.
Erin helped to establish the Evergreen program at the Pine Tree Hospice Center for Grieving Children and Adults. Serving families and the community since 2008, Erin and Evergreen provide peer support to children and their caregivers who had lost someone close to them. Erin serves as a team coordinator, trainer and volunteer facilitator, teaching that grief in children is different than for adults. She ensures that all available resources come to bear for those in need.
ELLEN FISHER-- After teaching for 34 years, Ellen Fisher retired and moved on to a life of volunteerism. She is well known throughout Brewer, Maine as a quiet leader, who inspires others to do more, but they have to work hard to keep up with her because she is genuinely involved.
Ellen works diligently as a volunteer at the Brewer Christian Food Cupboard, regularly distributing food to those in need. Her efforts culminate with the distribution of the special holiday food baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ellen is willing to get her hands dirty to get a job done. As a Master Gardener, she is a key worker with the Rogers Farm Plant-A-Row program, helping to provide thousands of pounds of fresh produce for various food pantries in the Penobscot County area.
Still involved in teaching in the Brewer schools, Ellen volunteers regularly with their Pre-K program, and helps with the elementary library. She also regularly substitute teaches and tutors students. Despite her busy schedule, Ellen finds time to serve as a Maine Troop Greeter, and has even opened her home to soldiers to stay over when their flights are delayed.
GLENN MOWER-- Glen Mower has a long history of community service, supporting a wide range of programs and causes that are important to the people of Bangor. Glenn cares deeply for the well being of others, which drives him daily with a passionate, tireless work ethic.
Glenn's years of public service include an over 30 year commitment to youth as a leader in the Katahdin Area Council of the Boy Scouts. He is a strong advocate for fitness as he promotes better health with the Wellness Council of Maine. Glenn also works with the Bangor Region Leadership Institute, Common Sense Housing, the Greater Bangor Area Chamber of Commerce, the Bangor Masonic Temple, the Kiwanis and has years of leadership in his church community.
ELLEN PORT-- Ellen Port of Bangor loves to give back to her community by volunteering. Her long, varied history includes embroidering pillow cases for Maine based armed forces, working for Jewish charities, assisting the Beth Abraham Sisterhood, career counseling at the Bangor High School and serving as an active member of the Parents Are Teachers Too Coalition.
For the past 12 years, Ellen's real passion has been working with the Teen Parent Education Program, through Bangor's Good Samaritan Agency. She works as an vital member of the team of social workers and teachers, who help pregnant and parenting teens learn job skills, prepare for college, as they learn parenting and nutritional tips. Ellen is a strong role model, and encourages her kids to continue their schooling; that higher education leads to better paying jobs, more productive careers and economic security. Her ongoing dedication and contribution has brought many successes to the program.
A personal favorite of Ellen's for the past two years has been volunteering as a "cuddler" at the Rosen Neonatal ICU of Eastern Maine Medical Center. Ellen provides a valuable service to new-born babies, as she cuddles them when parents can not be present. Hospital employees and parents alike, value Ellen's loving service to the infants.
JAYNE SULLIVAN-- Jayne Sullivan is a woman with heart and soul, committed to helping to feed the hungry of Unity, Maine and its surrounding communities. Seeing a need, Jayne created a campaign in 2007 to raise money for the Unity Area Regional Food Pantry, a pantry that provides food for over 300 local families. Called "Arts for Hunger", the campaign works in conjunction with the Unity Area Rotary Club, and now raises $5000 annually to benefit the Regional Food Pantry, along with other hunger relief agencies in the area. So impressive are its accomplishments, "Arts for Hunger" recently received the Significant Achievement Award from Rotary International.
Always looking for an opportunity to give, Jayne chose to celebrate her 50th birthday by hosting a Bead for Life party, selling bead jewelry made by men and woman of Uganda, the proceeds to help Ugandans. Jayne has organized a philanthropy club in her company comprised of children of employees, and participated in a fundraiser for a local artisan who recently lost his home in a fire.
BANGOR PUBLIC LIBRARY-- Since its founding in 1883, the Bangor Public Library has always been an important asset to the community. Today, nearly 250,000 people walk through its doors annually, and the Library has grown to not only serve Bangor, but 47% of its users now live outside the city. It's the research and reference center for Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.
Of the Library's current 36,846 registered users, 6,176 are children, many of whom take advantage of its story times, homework assistance and Readers Advisory Service. For adults, it provides valuable job hunting resources, entertaining and informative book talks, along with the Summer Music and Meet the Author series. The Library's vast inventory of over 500,000 books is joined by audio books, videos, newspapers and magazines. To service the age of technology, the Library now provides free public access to computers, WiFi and audio book downloads, delivering valuable, diverse resources to the community.
BOUCHEA CENTER FOR LEARNING-- For nearly 40 years, the Bouchea Center for Learning has provided support for men and women with severe physical, emotional, behavioral, communication or developmental disabilities. Through physical, occupational and communication therapy, the BCL seeks to increase the independence of the participants, developing their ability to advocate for themselves, and integrate into their community.
The BCL provides support in all activities of daily living, encouraging satisfaction with everyday experiences, while enhancing social and emotional stability, security, and confidence. With nearly 70 attendees from Bangor, Brewer and the surrounding areas, The Bouchea Center for Learning provides an effective alternative to life in a nursing home or in an institution. The goal of the highly trained and experience staff of the Center is to provide the participants a sense of achievement, friendship, self-respect and the ability to give back to the community.
THE GAME LOFT-- The volunteers of The Game Loft in Belfast work hard to provide an environment where young people are guided to become caring, confident and contributing adults. The Game Loft is an after school and vacation program serving over 100 school age children, ages 5-18; the goal, to promote positive youth development through non-electronic games and community involvement.
Participants in this free program are overseen by 111 volunteers and 60 youth members. The children play board, card and role play games with their peers. They also work at local festivals, assist the elderly and disabled, as well as help local towns with area projects. These experiences through The Game Loft teach youth an increased knowledge and understanding of our world, improving the quality of life for the entire community.