United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s fall campaign, despite running during a pandemic, successfully reached its $1,650,000 goal, Campaign Co-Chairs Bob and Barb McCue announced Friday.

“The total results are $1,653,274,” said Bob McCue at the organization’s Virtual Finale, attended by over 60 community leaders and volunteers. “Congratulations – and thank you! The generosity of Midcoast people, and the hard work of so many supporters and volunteers came through once again.” The McCues thanked the volunteer campaign cabinet, loaned Executives, and United Way staff who organized and led the campaign.

Residential giving from retirees and others was a highlight of this campaign. Barb McCue stressed that the announced results include additional giving expected before the end of the calendar year. “We need donations to keep coming!” she said. “We need to keep raising every dollar we can, so we can help all the people we can.”

Everyone can still give by texting DONATE2UW to 41444, going online at www.uwmcm.org/donate, or sending a donation to United Way at 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, 04530.

With the economic impact of the pandemic, some people were not able to give this year; however others who were able increased their donations significantly. The traditional in-person workplace presentations also had to change, and the McCues praised the ingenuity and adaptability of United Way staff and partner workplaces in finding a variety of alternatives this year.

The Campaign Excellence Award went to FHC, Inc., in Bowdoin, which held a socially-distanced in-person rally for some of its employees and included employees working remotely and at other sites by live teleconference. It raised over $102,000 in company and employee giving for United Way, and it was also praised for its many services to the community, including currently distributing Thanksgiving baskets to people in need.

Bath Iron Works employees received special thanks from United Way’s Co-chairs. “We can’t say enough, or thank you enough, for the enormous impact your generosity has on our community. No matter the challenges, once again you brought in incredible results. Thank you!” Stephanie Therrien led a team of volunteers in raising close to a half a million dollars for United Way.

Additional Awards went to Hannaford (Commerce & Industry Division), Norway Savings Bank (Financial and Professional Firms Division), Mid Coast-Parkview Health (Health Care Division), and People Plus (Public Service Division). Other workplaces also had great success, including the Town of Topsham which had a renewed campaign raising over $5,000, Bath Savings Institution, L.L. Bean, LincolnHealth, Bowdoin College, Midcoast Federal Credit Union, and Five County Credit Union.

United Way’s Volunteer of the Year Award went to Glenn Irish of Woodex Bearing in Georgetown. At a time of great uncertainty, Glenn assured United Way staff in the spring and summer that he would do whatever was needed to ensure that the company had a good campaign in the fall. He did so, basically acting as United Way’s ambassador at his workplace, collecting pledge cards and delivering them to United Way.

In addition to Bob and Barb McCue, members of the 2020 Campaign Cabinet include: Stephanie Therrien of BIW, Sam Chard of L.L. Bean, Steve Bailey of the Maine School Management Association, Mara Pennell of Bath Savings, Kelly Creamer of LincolnHealth, Morgan Moores of Mid Coast-Parkview Health, Anita Ruff of Oasis Free Clinics, and Chris Szalay of SEARCH.

This year’s Loaned Executives, who worked full-time on the campaign, include: Ryan Berard of Hannaford, Nina Bergendoff of FHC, and Cindy Tucci of L.L. Bean.

United Way donations fund community initiatives and vital services at 37 local partner agencies that provide Mid Coast people in need with food, shelter, prescription assistance, health care, volunteer matches for isolated seniors, Big Brothers and Big Sisters for adolescents, home visiting for new parents, high-quality child care, and much more.

United Way’s mission is “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities.” More information on United Way’s results in improving lives, including this year’s local video, can be found at www.uwmcm.org.