Dear friends,
Music has always been a source of joy and comfort for me, and sets the stage for any celebration. I have been singing with my sister in the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Magic of Christmas for several years now, and I love how it enables me to spread joy and to share in happiness with friends, neighbors and strangers. Toward the end of every show, former PSO Music Director Robert Moody used to say to the crowd, “However you celebrate, celebrate well.” This sentiment has always resonated with me, especially this time of year. Celebrations don’t have to all look the same, they don’t have to accompany a specific holiday, or even be connected to any holiday at all. When we share with others, we are celebrating. Celebrating joy together, our commonalities, even just a shared human experience are wonderful moments to relish in life. The work our members do all year long is certainly cause for celebration, as they make Maine better for us all.
We at MaineShare are very excited about the accomplishments of the last year, and pleased to celebrate with our wonderful community. We invite you all to enjoy our MaineShare 2020-21 Annual Report, which you can read here. We also invite you to share in the continued impact of our member organizations by reading on.
If you are inspired to celebrate all the great work and ensure it continues, please make an online donation today!
We are so grateful to our members, donors, and friends. Thank you for all you do to make this work possible. And as we all continue to face uncertain times and unknown challenges ahead, please remember that we all deserve to celebrate our resilience.
With gratitude and in celebration,
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Amanda Langley (she/her/hers), Director
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Member Updates and Upcoming Events Worth Your Time |
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Holocaust and Human Rights Center participates in Shine a Light |
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The Holocaust and Human Rights Center will participate in the national initiative Shine A Light to illuminate the dangers of antisemitism through education, community partnerships, workplace engagement, and advocacy. The HHRC is also collaborating with the Maine Department of Education to contribute to learning modules on the Holocaust. Says Executive Director Tam Huynh, “I’m so proud of the partnership working together to make this curriculum available for students all across the state.” Click here to learn more!
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Viles Arboretum named Catalyst Grant Recipient |
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Viles Arboretum has been named a "Catalyst Grant" recipient. The $30,000 gift from Kennebec Savings Bank followed a competitive application process that ultimately named two area non-profit organizations as recipients. The Arboretum’s application sought to fund necessary infrastructure improvements to enable continued growth of their Education Initiatives, particularly that of the Young Stewards Summer Camp program. Viles Arboretum is a free, easily-accessible 224-acre botanical garden that features a full service visitor center, conference room rentals, and an array of low-cost environmental education programs in Maine's Capital City.
“Viles Arboretum is proud to have partnered with Kennebec Savings Bank for this great work, which will fund existing infrastructure like our community gardens and commercial kitchen, as well as a new low-ropes course, to better serve our students as our summer program continues to grow.” - Ryan Martin, Executive Director
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Consumers for Affordable Health Care provides assistance with Affordable Care Act Marketplace |
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Consumers for Affordable Health Care is now providing enrollment information and assistance for ACA Marketplace plans! Call the free and confidential Consumer Assistance HelpLine at 1-800-965-7476 with questions about all coverage options. Thanks to extended eligibility and enhanced premium subsidies through the American Rescue Plan Act, Marketplace coverage is more affordable than ever. Open enrollment runs through January 15, 2022. Don’t know what it’s all about? This great WMTW news story will bring you up to speed!
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Dip, Dash or Donate to support The Natural Resources Council of Maine! |
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Looking for a fun, outdoor team-building activity to bring your remote employees back together? Dip, Dash, or Donate in support of the climate work of The Natural Resources Council of Maine! The MaineShare community is invited to form teams for our 2021 Virtual Polar Bear Dip & Dash, and compete for prizes…or just bragging rights! Registration for individuals and teams is now open via nrcm.org or at https://nrcm.salsalabs.org/dipdash. The cost is $50 per person through December 25, with all proceeds supporting NRCM’s work to reduce climate pollution, increase access to clean transportation, and promote energy-efficient solutions for homes and businesses. Select your own location to Dip (jump into the ocean or a lake) or Dash (run or walk a 5K route), or choose from our suggested locations across Maine. Hope you’ll join us and be Bold in the Cold this year!
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Bicycle Coalition of Maine presents the Super Raffle! |
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It's that time of year again: The Bicycle Coalition of Maine's Super Raffle is back! This is your opportunity to support the BCM and get a chance to win some totally rad prizes, including two bikes! Prizes from Ciclismo Classico, CycleMania, Rainbow Bicycle, L.L.Bean, Maine Beer Company, and of course, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, will be up for grabs! Tickets are $30 each, and there are only 350 available. Tickets will be available beginning at 7:00 a.m. on Monday, December 6 at bikemaine.org/super-raffle. The drawing will take place in early 2022. Good luck!
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Maine Center for Economic Policy presents State of Working Maine 2021
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How did COVID-19 impact Maine’s workforce and who was affected the most? Which barriers did workers face on the job and in returning to work? How effective was the response of policymakers? What are some lessons learned to create a fairer economy and ensure no one is left behind in the future? In State of Working Maine 2021 — Maine Center for Economic Policy’s signature annual report — Economic Policy Analyst James Myall provides answers and analysis addressing these critical questions. State of Working Maine 2021 also illustrates the ways in which policymakers must learn from the pandemic in crafting new policy that improves conditions and supports rebuilding to create a fairer economic system which works for everyone — not just those at the top. Visit MECEP for more information.
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Friends of Casco Bay Volunteer Water Reporters investigate eelgrass mystery |
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Volunteer Water Reporters with Friends of Casco Bay have been documenting the mystery surrounding an increase in torn and uprooted eelgrass during August and September. Eelgrass is an environmentally and economically vital marine plant that grows in the shallows of Casco Bay and other areas of Maine’s coastline. Reasons for this important plant washing ashore can range from invasive green crabs to passing boats. “Many Water Reporters have an intimate familiarity with specific parts of (Casco) Bay. When we come together to share our knowledge and perspectives, we all leave knowing more about each other and the Bay,” said Sarah Lyman, FOCB Community Engagement Coordinator. Read more about this work here.
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This is just a small sampling of the critical work MaineShare members do to build a better Maine. Please join us in supporting and learning from the great work of ALL our member groups.
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