BIDDEFORD

Vet to Vet Maine receives grant to support volunteer coordinator

Vet to Vet Maine has been awarded a one-year grant, totaling $14,000, by United Way of York County to support a volunteer coordinator and the operation of the program in York County. This nonprofit connects volunteer veterans with vulnerable Maine veterans who may need a friend. The volunteers also are trained to assist veterans in obtaining needed benefits, resources and services that can improve their quality of life.
Vet to Vet Maine’s volunteer companions currently serve more then 70 veterans in southern Maine.
Vet to Vet Maine executive director Susan Gold said the grant will enable the nonprofit to increase operations in York County, train more volunteers, and reach many more veterans.
A training for new volunteers will be offered April 26, 27 and 28 from 4 to 7 p.m via Zoom. To enroll in the training, to request a veteran companion, or for more information, contact Judie O’Malley at 579-4024 or email office@vet2vetmaine.org.

PORTLAND/BANGOR

Telethon raises over $455,000 for heating fund

News Center Maine’s annual Project Heat Telethon on Jan. 28 has raised more than $455,000 to support the Keep ME Warm Fund.
Keep ME Warm is a partnership of the nine United Ways in Maine and 10 Community Action Programs. The statewide program provides emergency heating assistance and support to low-income households and local organizations throughout Maine.
To date, the 2021 Project Heat Telethon has accepted donations and pledges from individual donors and sponsors totaling $466,359. United Way anticipates funds will serve more than 2,000 households for heating assistance.

WINDHAM

Riding To The Top volunteer and horse recognized for service

Riding to the Top volunteer Pat Niboli and Luke, one of RTT’s horses, have won recognition from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, or PATH, for their extraordinary service and dedication to the field of equine assisted services.

Niboli was named the Region I Volunteer of the Year, and Luke was named the Region 1 Horse of the Year. Region 1 includes all of New England and eastern maritime Canada provinces.

Niboli, of Windham, has volunteered at RTT for over 10 years, assisting in the barn, working in lessons (both therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving), exercising and training horses, and leading fundraising efforts.

Luke, a 27-year-old Haflinger gelding and one of the RTT’s herd for nearly 15 years, is known for his steady and calm demeanor.

Niboli, Luke and regional winners in other categories will now move on to the international competition. Final winners will be announced in October.

For more details, go to ridingtothetop.org or call 892-2813.

SCARBOROUGH

Parish churches participating in Lenten food colletion

St. John Paul II Parish  – St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Scarborough; Holy Cross Church, South Portland; St. Bartholomew Church, Cape Elizabeth – has begun a “40 Cans for Lent” initiative, asking parishioners and community members to help provide support for community members during pandemic hardships by donating nonperishable foods during the 40 days of Lent, being observed now through April 3.
The Knights of Columbus is asking parishioners and community members to donate canned goods and packaged food through April 1. Large collection barrels have been set up in the lobbies of each church.
All proceeds will be donated to the South Portland Food Cupboard. For more details, go to southportlandfoodcupboard.org or call the parish office at 883-0334.

WATERVILLE

Grant to support Dirigo Labs’ ecosystem ideas

Central Maine Growth Council has won a $25,000 grant to support Dirigo Labs. CMGC was one of more than 160 applicants nationwide for the U.S. Small Business Administration grant, and the only recipient in New England.
The competition purse was awarded to applicants who demonstrated the most inventive and actionable ideas toward creating a more inclusive R&D innovation ecosystem for the future.
Dirigo Labs, an initiative and regional technology accelerator program designed by CMGC, will focus on Maine-based, high-growth industry sectors, including bioeconomy, information technology, financial services, and innovation within Maine’s legacy industries of precision manufacturing and blue economy jobs, which extends to emerging environmental technologies in marine and aquaculture clusters.

ROCKLAND

Loyal Biscuit Co. accepting grant applications from nonprofits that help animals

The Loyal Biscuit Co. is now accepting applications for its Fenway Fund Grants, awarded bi-annually to 501c3 Maine organizations that benefit animals.
To date, $21,100 has been awarded to seven organizations. Projects have varied from the addition of a new feline recovery room at the PAWS Animal Adoption Center, a new website for the Underhound Railroad, to the purchase of an ultrasound machine for the Humane Society Waterville Area.
The application for the fund is available online at loyalbiscuit.com/the-fenway-fund. Applications must be submitted by Sunday in order to be considered for the review process.
Proposals will be reviewed and winners selected by a committee of Loyal Biscuit Co. team members.

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