Employees of The First recently donated a check in the amount of $634.34 to People to People in Damariscotta. The funds were collected by The First employees in exchange for the privilege of dressing casually each Friday. All 14 branch offices of the bank participated in a month-long fundraiser.
Employee representative and credit associate Laura McGee and Dana Orenstein, Branch Manager for The First in Damariscotta, presented the check to Winton Jacobs, Damariscotta Baptist Church representative and owner of Waltz Pharmacy.
“This donation is so appreciated,” Jacobs said. “Right now we are focused on supplying warm winter clothes for needy individuals and families in our service area.”
People to People services the Damariscotta Peninsula, Waldoboro, Wiscasset, Boothbay Harbor, Alna, and Whitefield.
The organization was founded nearly 40 years ago, when it was recognized that a need for help existed close to home. “We hope to always have a representative from each community Church,” Jacobs said, continuing. “Word of a special need quietly spreads there first, and help can be very personally offered without embarrassment to the receiver.”
People to People is currently located in the basement of the Damariscotta Baptist Church. It is open to folks in need every Monday from 5-7 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 p.m.
Clean clothing and basic household items can be deposited there, and volunteers sort and distribute the clothes to those who come in and request them. “No one is turned away or refused a request,” Jacobs said. “We especially need warm winter clothes and boots right now.” Due to storage space and delivery restrictions, no large appliances may be accepted.
Board president Terri Taylor noted that the donation would be used toward their capital campaign efforts, which will help with an eventual move to St. Patrick’s Church in Damariscotta. “We are thrilled you thought of us,” Taylor said, “and so thankful that The First employees have made this generous donation.”
An upcoming fundraiser is a Theater of the Spirit variety show to be held at the Second Congregational Church in Newcastle on Friday evening, Jan. 30. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at Waltz Pharmacy, the Maine Coast Book Shop, from any of the board members, or at the door.
Volunteers are needed to help the board members with fundraising efforts. For more information about People to People, please contact board president Terri Taylor at 563-8327.
The First Bancorp, headquartered in Damariscotta, is the holding company for The First, N.A. For more information about The First, please call 1-800-564-3195 or visit www.the1st.com.
