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3rd Quarter 2023
Island Connector
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Our Mission
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 ISSUE:
- Message from the Executive Director
- Message from our Board President
- New Staff Announcement
- Dine-Around Day July 15
- Matching Challenge launches July 15
- Giving Circle
- 2022 Annual Report Online
- "Ride Wise" Numbers
- Be a Volunteer!
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A Message from Executive Director Sharon Linscott |
Dear Friends,
Cheers to summer weather and summer fruits and vegetables like watermelon and corn on the cob.
A few noteworthy changes here at Island Connections:
We recently hired a new Transportation Coordinator, scroll down to learn more about Stephanie Babich!
In conjunction with MDI Hospital lifting their mask mandate, our Neighbors and volunteer drivers are no longer required to wear masks on Island Connections rides.
Our Board of Directors recently adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement for Island Connections. It reads:
Driving includes you….
Whether you need one of our rides, want to be one of our amazing volunteer drivers, or desire to work for us, you are valued at Island Connections no matter who you are. We are dedicated to diversity, and our commitment to equity and inclusion drives us forward every day.
Thank you to our staff, Neighbors, volunteers and donors who make what we do possible! YOU are Island Connections.
Blessings & Peace,
Sharon
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A Message from Board President Stephanie Clement
Dear Neighbors, Volunteers, and Friends:
Island Connections is about to go through another transition, as our Executive Director, Sharon Linscott, leaves at the end of the month for another career opportunity. We are grateful for Sharon’s service to the organization. She led us through the development of a new strategic plan, initiated the Giving Circle, and helped our organization restart many of its events post-pandemic. The Board is about to launch a search for our next Executive Director. The position description and application process will be posted to our website soon. Please be on the lookout and send good candidates our way.
In the interim, the Board will work with Carissa and Stephanie in the office to keep Island Connections’ services and programs operating smoothly. They are a talented staff team, and we anticipate a seamless transition to our next leader.
I hope you will join me in thanking Sharon for her leadership and service to Island Connections.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Clement
Board President
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WELCOME STEPHANIE BABICH!
Stephanie recently joined our team as our Transportation Coordinator. She is a relative newcomer to Mount Desert Island, having relocated here from Denver, Colorado in 2020. Yearning to trade the hectic demands of city life for the quiet charms of small town living, Stephanie was drawn to the area by its warm sense of community, unique culture and history, and stunning yet accessible natural beauty. With a deep background in sales, marketing and logistics Stephanie is pleased to apply skills honed in commerce in new ways with Island Connections, making a direct difference in the lives of others. Stephanie lives in Bar Harbor with her husband and daughter. In her free time she enjoys cooking, long distance walking, amateur photography and exploring the wilds of Acadia. An avid gardener with a true green thumb, on sunny Summer days Stephanie can be found in her garden, tending the flowers and helping things grow.
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OUR ANNUAL DINE-AROUND DAY
IS SATURDAY, JULY 15
Eat at a participating restaurant/business on July 15 for Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and/or Dessert to support your favorite local businesses and Island Connections at the same time!
These participating businesses will donate either a set amount or a portion of their proceeds on July 15 to Island Connections:
BAR HARBOR
Bar Harbor Beerworks
The Barnacle
Black Friar Inn & Pub
Café This Way
Cherrystones
Fish House Grill
Galyn's
Jalapeno's
Jordan Pond Ice Cream & Fudge
Jordan's Restaurant
Peekytoe Provisions
Reel Pizza
Rosalie's Pizza
Side Street Café
West Eden Pizza
West Street Café
BERNARD
Thurston's Lobster Pound
NORTHEAST HARBOR
Nor'Easter Pound and Market
SEAL HARBOR
Lighthouse Inn & Restaurant
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Help us raise $15k in 30 days!
Our 4th Annual Match Challenge
runs July 15 through August 15
Several donors have pledged $15,000 in seed funds to be matched dollar for dollar in 30 days.
That would mean $30,000 total for Island Connections to help us provide more rides!
Did you know that since the start of the pandemic our dedicated volunteer drivers have provided just over 15,000 rides to medical appointments and for programs that help address food insecurity?
Double your impact to help your Neighbors in need!
Donate today using the button below.
Through the donation link, you can also become a monthly donor. You choose how much you want automatically charged to your card or withdrawn from your bank account each month. It is very convenient and helps sustain our program throughout the year.
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Our 2022 Annual Report
is Online
2022 was a record year for Island Connections. We provided just shy of 6,000 rides! One-third of those rides helped address food insecurity in our region, which included food delivery routes for Meals on Wheels and the Food Access Project as well as our own grocery shopping program. To see all our 2022 accomplishments, including where our Neighbors live, where we take them to and who supported us, just click here.
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"RIDE WISE"
at Island Connections
In the second quarter of 2023 we:
- Completed 1,279 one-way rides, which includes
- 178 food delivery routes and
- 247 grocery shopping trips
- Added 15 new Neighbors
- Added 7 new Volunteer Drivers
- 86 Volunteer Drivers gave approximately 526 hours of their time and drove approximately 14,648 miles
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Have you ever thought about volunteering
at Island Connections?
Our need for volunteers is constant, as the demand for our services remains high. In a typical month, we sign up twice as many new Neighbors as we do new volunteer drivers.
Being a volunteer driver for Island Connections is extremely flexible. You get to choose when, how long, and how often you want to volunteer. Even one ride a month helps!
As a volunteer you also build lasting connections with our Neighbors. Many of our volunteers told us they like volunteering because they want to help others and give back to our community. And it feels good!
To learn more about being a volunteer driver, call us at 207-288-4457. Or CLICK HERE to apply online. We would love to welcome you to our family!
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Contact Us:
(207) 288-4457 * www.islconnections.org
93 Cottage Street, Suite 101
Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Office hours are Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sharon Linscott, Executive Director
director@islconnections.org
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