January 2020
Island Connector
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Highlights for the
Month of January
- The MDI Coffeehouse on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month through April 2020
- The Senior Movie Matinee will begin on Thursday, January 2nd at Reel Pizza in Bar Harbor
- Joy Riding Volunteer Recruitment on Thursday, January 23rd at the YWCA MDI at 10:00 a.m.
- Be on the lookout through social media and the paper for upcoming Age by Design Programs
- Our 4th Annual Chowder and this year CHILI Chowdown on Saturday, January 25 at the Atlantic Oceanside
- Our offices will be closed on January 1 New Year's Day and on Monday, January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Day
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Welcome to the January 2020
Island Connector!
We share our monthly newsletter to make the most of our connections in the community!
The purpose of the Island Connector is to share our good work and help those who can benefit from our services or who may wish to volunteer and serve our organization for our beloved community. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is what Island Connections is all about and has been for over 22 years.
If you have a family member or know of a neighbor that could benefit from our
free
transportation services, please have them call us at 288-4457.
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Island Connections provides free transportation and other services to seniors and people with disabilities from Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands to enhance their independence and quality of life by utilizing our core group of dedicated volunteers.
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IN THIS MONTHS' ISSUE
- Island Connector Message from the Executive Director
- Island Connections Story - take a peak at the video below
- Island Connections Annual Appeal
- Neighbor Ride Eligibility
- Friendly reminder to our volunteers
- Volunteers - Our heart and Soul
- Neighbors making extra stops
- NEW Island Connections' Transportation Program
- Calendar of Upcoming Events
- MDI Coffeehouse is back!
- Age by Design Program -
- 4th Annual Chowder AND Chili Chowdown!
- Monthly Giving Program
- On-Line Volunteer Application
- AARP Scam Alert
- Yummy recipes from our volunteers and friends
- Volunteer Driver Reward Program
- Neighbor & Volunteers of the Month
- Healthy Acadia - Neighbor 4 Neighbor Application
- Events for Seniors
- Senior Luncheon at the Neighborhood House starts this Thursday, Nov. 7
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS' OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1ST FOR NEW YEAR'S DAY AND ON MONDAY, JANUARY 20TH IN HONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY
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CLICK THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW TO WATCH HOW ISLAND CONNECTIONS' VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE
CARING RIDES
TO OUR ISLAND NEIGBHORS
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Message from the Executive Director
2019 has truly been a banner year for Island Connections. We accomplished so much in the past year and we are happy to be able to build on that momentum in 2020! For starters, here are some important stats related to our ride transportation services:
Completed 1-way rides - 5,015
Extra Stops - 276
Extra Passengers - 43
Neighbors (Riders) added - 85
Volunteer Drivers - 10
Total number of Riders - 164
Total number of Volunteers Drivers - 84
Volunteer Hours - 3,308.25
Reported/Estimated Miles - 66,049.84
All of this is possible by having a great team in place to include the staff, board and our amazing volunteers. Everyone of them played an important part in being able to work through the increased demand for rides and the expansion of our services. For this, I am truly grateful to them all.
In the 2nd year of our 3 year Strategic Plan, we were able to create a visual story conveying what we do and how we do it with our new friends (Michael Perlman and crew) at Green Pig Productions; we also hosted our 1st Annual Meeting with great success and immense help from our friends at the Seal Cove Auto Museum. We have brought on some new and very talented board members while saying goodbye to some others who are dedicated and will stay connected to our mission. We continue to work with community partners to keep our seniors engaged by cosponsoring the MDI Coffeehouse at the YWCA MDI on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays; the Age by Design collaboration with the YWCA MDI and Jesup Memorial Library. We will be looking for other potential collaborations that will align with our mission to help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes.
The team at Island Connections, Amy Manring, Dana Mastroianni, Maegan Haney, I and our Board of Directors want to wish all of you and yours a very Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year in 2020!
All the best,
Doreen Willett
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Who is eligible for Island Connections
Free
Transportation Services?
For over twenty two years, Island Connections has been providing free transportation for seniors and people with disabilities on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding islands. We would like to ensure that all of our island community members are aware of our ride eligibility policy. We provide rides to seniors 70+, with no questions asked, as well as to both people with temporary AND permanent disabilities. To clarify, this means that if you are temporarily restricted or temporarily disabled to drive due to a medical reason determined by a physician and are under the age of 70, you are eligible for free transportation services with Island Connections. We simply ask you to provide a doctor’s note for our records to support your medical condition. If you are determined to be permanently disabled, under the age of 70 and can provide a benefits statement from the Social Security Administration, you are eligible for free transportation as well. Please share this information with your family, friends and neighbors so that they become fully aware of our ride policy. Thank you.
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Friendly Reminder to Our Volunteers
Please know that your time and privacy are very important to us at Island Connections. We try to adhere to your time constraints and don't give out your telephone numbers to our neighbors for good reason. We want to be sure that our neighbors are respecting our process of providing rides to them. What we don't want to have happen is that the neighbors are calling you directly for rides and not going through Island Connections. This not only disrupts our scheduling process and muddles our ride counts, but it also opens you up to our neighbors calling you for any number of reasons and, as a result you may not feel comfortable doing what they ask, but may end up doing the ride/task out of guilt rather than refuse them. It’s not to say that we don’t want to encourage good relationships between our neighbors and volunteers but believe that there is a line to be drawn so that you aren’t overburdened. We don’t want to hinder the organic friendships and relationships being created, we just want to be sure that you are always comfortable with the relationship.
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VOLUNTEERS - THE HEART AND SOUL OF
ISLAND CONNECTIONS
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Island Connections Neighbors and Ride Demands
Island Connections volunteers amaze me, my staff and board to be able to meet the demands in order to complete
365
rides in the month of December.
We added new
6
neighbors needing our services last month. This brings our new neighbor total for the year to 85.
Of course, given the increase in needed transportation services, we are also in need of more volunteers. If you or someone you know would like to find out what it means to become a volunteer driver for Island Connections, please be sure to call and speak to Dana Mastroianni.
I would like to once again extend my sincere gratitude to Amy Manring, our Transportation Coordinator, for her hard work and ability to ensure that our neighbors get where they need to be. In a time where we are continuing to add neighbors at an increased rate, she still manages to get the job done. Great job Amy! Thank you for all you do for our neighbors and keep up the good work!
Our Joy Riding recruitment Program proved to be an excellent recruiting method for Island Connections. Future dates will be announced. Can we ask YOU, our volunteer drivers, to help spread the word about the amazing work YOU do for our island neighbors and how they can help too by volunteering some of their time to do the same.
As many know, it's actually very easy to help us and rewarding. We have 720 living hours in a month and by donating 1 hour of time, a neighbor can be transported to and from an in town medical appointment. Please share this newsletter with your friends or family members who who want to volunteer for Island Connections . They can merely click on the
I wish to apply to Volunteer
link below or call us at 288-4457 and speak to Dana Mastroianni. Thank you for your consideration or helping us spread the word!
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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING
A VOLUNTEER DRIVER?
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WHY VOLUNTEER?
- It brings people together. You get to meet new people and make new friends.
- It promotes self-growth. You can use your skills and learn new skills.
- You make a difference. Volunteering makes you feel appreciated and needed. It provides an opportunity to give back what has been given to you.
- It strengthens our community and breaks down barriers of fear and misunderstanding.
Thank you for your consideration
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Neighbors needing extra stops with their scheduled rides
As we continue to ensure that our transportation program runs smoothly and effectively, we recognize that our neighbors may not fully understand how important our need to do so may be. We are aware that when our neighbors are able to get out to go to a doctor's appointment or otherwise it may be their only chance to stop to get a gallon of milk or bread. Whatever the need may be, we would like to be able to track this information accurately as extra stops increase the services we provide. This information is important for a number of reasons. Firstly and ideally, we would like to obtain this request directly from the neighbor up front when we enter a ride into our system so that when a volunteer chooses to take a ride they know the expectation and time commitment of that ride. Secondly, we certainly don't want our volunteers to feel guilty or obligated if they don't have the time to make unscheduled stops during any ride. Thirdly, we want to report accurate information when applying for grant funding and also provide that information to our community as to the extent of our services. Lastly and most importantly, to ensure that our volunteers aren't feeling pressured or uncomfortable in any way that would give them pause about providing our neighbors future rides. Our volunteers are our greatest asset and with the increase in the number of rides overall, we want to be sure that the systems we have in place are working for everyone. Therefore, in the event that you have made an extra stop during a scheduled ride, we ask that you contact the office by phone or email so that we can be sure to enter it into RideScheduler. We thank you for your cooperation in this regard.
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This is
BIG NEWS
!!!
We are working on putting together a new pilot transportation program which will utilize the multi-passenger van that was donated to us and for which we received the grant award from the Maine Community Founation Hancock County Fund. The plan is to bring several neighbors at a time to Hannaford and Walmart on specific days/times. We are working out a schedule with the MDI & Ellsworth Housing Authority as follows:
Malvern Belmont in Bar Harbor
Hannaford
- Monday pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at 10:30 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
3rd Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at Noon
Rodick Lorraine in Bar Harbor
Hannaford
- Monday pick up at 9:10 a.m. - return at 10:30 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
3rd Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:10 a.m. - return at Noon
Eden Apartments in Bar Harbor
Hannaford
- Monday pick up at 9:10 a.m. - return at 10:30 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
3rd Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:10 a.m. - return at Noon
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Woodbury Apartments in Bar Harbor
Hannaford
- Monday pick up at 9:20 a.m. - return at 10:30 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
3rd Wednesday of the
month - pick up at 9:20 a.m. - return at Noon
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Norwood Apartments in Southwest Harbor
IGA Foodmart or Hannaford
- Friday pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at 11:00 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
1st Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at Noon
Ridge Apartments in Southwest Harbor
IGA Foodmart or Hannaford
- Friday pick up at 9:30 a.m. - return at 11:00 a.m.
Walmart Wednesdays!
1st Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at Noon
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Maple Lane Apartments in Northeast Harbor
Walmart Wednesdays!
2nd Wednesday of the month - pick up at 9:00 a.m. - return at Noon
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We are looking for up to 5 dedicated volunteer drivers to help get this program moving! If you are interested or know someone that would be and/or want to find out more information, please call Doreen at 288-4457. Thank you!
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ISLAND CONNECTIONS 2019 UPCOMING EVENTS
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4TH ANNUAL CHOWDER CHOWDOWN WITH A NEW DELICIOUS TWIST! THIS YEAR WE'RE ADDING CHILI TO THE MENU AND COMPETITION!!!
SHOW UP AND ENJOY CHILI AND/OR CHOWDER
OR
ENTER A DELICIOUS RECIPE!!!
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Champion Circle
Monthly Giving Program
As part of our annual appeal, we are able to offer an online giving option that offers you the ability to support Island Connections on a monthly basis. We invite you to seriously consider our
Champion Connector’s Circle Program
for the following reasons. Monthly giving makes it easier for you to plan ahead for your annual giving, and alleviates the potential challenge of a large outlay of funds at the end of the year.
Your donation can be easily and securely debited from a credit card or bank account of your choosing.
You can set it up to debit your account automatically each month, and not have to think about it again. And it helps Island Connections by providing a consistent and steady cash flow stream throughout the year. All you need to do is click on the link below and simply follow the instructions for the monthly giving program. It’s that easy! Please note that one time gifts can be made on this giving link as well.
If you require any additional assistance or have any questions, please call Doreen at 207-288-4457.
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Monthly recipes from our friends, neighbors & volunteers
of Island Connections
Roast Chicken with Rosemary
Ingredients
- 1 (3 pound) whole chicken, rinsed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 small onion, quartered
- ¼ cup chopped fresh rosemary
Directions
- Step 1 - Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Step 2 - Season chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Stuff with the onion and rosemary. Place chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish or roasting dish.
Step 3 - Roast in the preheated oven for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Cooking time will vary a bit depending on the size of the bird.
Bon Apetit!
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DO YOU KNOW ABOUT OUR VOLUNTEER DRIVER REWARDS PROGRAM?
Back in 2011, when gas prices were climbing higher than we had seen, Island Connections started a Driver Rewards Program to help our volunteer drivers who were working hard for our neighbors each day.
The way it works is that points are accumulated for every ride given by a volunteer to a neighbor. The point system is based on the number of rides given and destination of the rides. Each month Amy Manring, our Transportation Coordinator, reviews all of the data to create a list of those volunteers who have accumulated 30 points at which time we mail each of them a $ 25.00 gift card from Irving/Circle K. Their points revert back to 0 and they begin accumulating all over again. It's our way of giving back to those who give of themselves, their time and their resources. All of our active volunteers are eligible to accumulate points by driving for Island Connections.
Island Connections Driver Rewards Program is made possible through grant funding provided by the Hattie A. and Fred C. Lynam Trust Fund through Bar Harbor Bank and Trust Service and Witham Family Foundation.
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We are so fortunate to have so many wonderful neighbors be served by our outstanding volunteers who give of their time and resources. I wish to lend a reminder that YOU, as an Island Connections volunteer, may be the only person that a neighbor may come in contact with that day, that week or otherwise. Not only is the ride they are receiving important but the social aspect of the time spent together goes quite a long way.
Please keep in mind that they look forward to their time with you and by nurturing the relationship it can make all the difference to build trust and a real sense of security while in your care. We always want our neighbors to feel safe, secure and confident in your ability to get them where they they need to go while building a lasting friendship.
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To all of our volunteers -
Thank you for supporting our neighbors in every way that you do.
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Neighbor of the Month
The Neighbor of the Month is
Maryilyn Perry. Marilyn has been a neighbor of Island Connections since 2012 and is a lovely person. She just recently starting using our services again and we are so happy to be there to help her out. You're a rock star Marilyn!
Volunteers of the Month
The Volunteer of the Month is
Jim Grover. Jim has been driving for Island Connections for many years and is always willing to help a neighbor get to an appointment regardless where that may be. He has traveled near and far for our neighbors and they love him. Jim is truly a gem of a volunteer and we so appreciate ALL that you do for us and our neibhbors.
The Urgent Driver of the Month
is David Parker. David has been providing transportation for Island Connections neighbors for many years and in the last month alone has taken neighbors to dialysis and chemo treatments, specialists offices in Bangor, and van rides as well as other rides. David, you're amazing and thank you for everything!
Our Special Mention Drivers are
MaryLee Bayne, Ellen Brawley, Ken Collins, Deb Fisher, Peter Houghton, Carol Johnston, David Opdyke, Grover & Sarah Nevells.
Thank YOU ALL for ALL you do to help ensure that our neighbors are getting to their needed appointments, etc.
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The neighbor4neighbor Fund Now Accepting Applications
What: neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors for grants up to $500 for unexpected expenses
Where: Hancock and Washington counties
Dates and Time: Applications accepted year round. Apply online:
The neighbor4neighbor Fund, a program of Healthy Acadia, is now accepting applications from seniors who are facing any one of many life crises which arise unexpectedly and for which a senior may not have adequate funds. The neighbor4neighbor Fund’s mini-grants, capped at $500.00, cover such things as new eyeglasses, dentures, medical equipment, household repairs, or other one-time challenges which can arise and undermine a senior’s ability to live independently and have a high quality of life.
The philosophy of the neighbor4neighbor Fund is that small grants can make a big difference in a senior’s life and the fund works to provide this kind of financial assistance. The goal is to help people to be healthy, stay in their homes and be able to function independently. Many seniors are struggling just to meet their most basic needs, so unexpected expenses are not part of their budget.
The neighbor4neighbor Fund is open to seniors in both Hancock and Washington Counties and is administered by Healthy Acadia.
Please contact Nina Zeldin at 667-7171 or
nina@heathlyacadia.org to receive an application or learn more about neighbor4neighbor. Applications can also be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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HELPFUL INFORMATION:
FROM THE BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
Representatives of the Fire Department share the following advice: we should all have carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each level of our homes; all detectors have expiration dates-so check and replace if needed; and of course replace batteries routinely. If a senior is having difficulty installing a detector or changing a detector battery, the Fire Department graciously offers to come and do that for you. They request you call them on the non urgent line to request this and they will plan a time to come and assist you.
FROM
THE BAR HARBOR POLICE DEPARTMENT
Members of the Police Dept spoke at a gathering last year to advise all citizens to report any suspicious or unsafe items to them. They ask if you accidentally dial 911 that you stay on the line—this negates the need for them to follow up on a hang up call. The Police note that if you have a problem they might assist with –such as needing sand for icy steps that you are not able to go obtain yourself---please call them on the non urgent line and they will make plans to help you.
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Local Transportation for Seniors
BAR HARBOR SHUTTLE
(year round service operated by Downeast Transportation)
This bus operates on Tuesdays
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We would love your feedback on how we're doing in our community. Please feel free to call or e-mail with your comments.
If you are in need of information about Island Connections or in need of a ride, please contact our Transportation Coordinator, Amy Manring.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Telephone: 207-288-4457
Doreen Willett
Executive Director
Island Connections
www.islconnections.org
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
director@islconnections.org
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Have you given any thought to
Planned Giving?
Perhaps you would like to speak to us about leaving a bequest to Island Connections but didn't know how to get started.
Contact Doreen Willett to start the conversation about creating a sustainable giving plan. We thank you for your consideration.
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Island Connections * 93 Cottage Street, Suite 101, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Phone 207-288-4457 * info@islconnections.org www.islconnections.org
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