Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Employees Donate More Than $19,000 Collected in Q3 2024 to Nine Community Organizations

 Bar Harbor, Maine – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $19,000 in donations collected through the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to nine organizations serving communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The recipients of the donations collected during the third quarter of 2024 are:
 

• Maine
  • Hometown Health Center
  • Lubec Memorial Library
  • Milbridge Public Library
  • St. Joseph’s Healthcare
  • Whitneyville Public Library
• New Hampshire
  • Touchstone Farm
  • YMCA of Greater Nashua
• Vermont
  • Farm & Wilderness Foundation
  • Vermont Law and Graduate School

 
Casual for a Cause gives employees the opportunity to dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected each quarter. There is no set minimum for the donation; employees choose to give whatever amount makes sense for them. Employees participating in Casual for a Cause then vote on which community organizations will receive the funds collected in the previous quarter. The program has distributed nearly $350,000 of employee donations since it began in 2018.
 
“Casual for a Cause is a success because of the passion our employees have for our communities,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “They donate money from their own pockets and then come together to decide where they want to invest those dollars. The impact their generosity has on the organizations they donate to and, in turn, the people served by those organizations is awe-inspiring.”
 
Recipients of Q3 2024 Donations
 
Maine

Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Hometown Health Center. Pictured from left to right: Robin Winslow, CEO at Hometown Health Center; Debra Murray, VP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Luiza Beaupre, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; and Tracy Glidden, Assistant Branch Manager at BHBT.

Hometown Health Center (HHC) is a Federally Qualified Health Center that offers medical services, dental services, behavioral health services, prescription assistance programs, and more. Services are provided on a sliding-fee scale, and payment is based on what the patient can afford. Learn more about HHC at www.hometownhealthcenter.org.
 
“The funds will help us assist our patients, staff, and community members during times of hardship,” said Robin Winslow, CEO at HHC. “Recently, we've been able to provide critical support to those affected by a fire, covering essentials like medications, bedding, food, and other necessary items. Your commitment to our community is truly inspiring, and we are grateful to have you as a partner in our mission.”
 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Lubec Memorial Library. Pictured from left to right: Maureen Lord, VP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at BHBT; and Nancy Briggs, Librarian at Lubec Memorial Library.

Lubec Memorial Library first opened its doors to the public in 1952 with a collection of 800 books and a few pieces of furniture. Today, the library offers an impressive collection of 20,000 books, computers and wireless internet service for public use, programs for all ages, art exhibits, community meeting facilities, and more. Learn more about the Lubec Memorial Library at https://lubec.lib.me.us/.
 
“We are so thankful to the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for their generous donation,” said Nancy Briggs, Librarian at Lubec Memorial Library. “It will contribute to our mission to provide free access to materials to our community and help support our programs for all ages to encourage a lifelong love of reading and learning.”
 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Milbridge Public Library. Pictured from left to right: Jonathan Richards, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Jenna Beal, Portfolio Administrator at BHBT; Candy Pendleton, Personal Banker at BHBT; and Lewis Pinkham, Milbridge Town Manager.

Milbridge Public Library welcomes and supports all people in their joy of reading and lifelong learning. The library strives to provide equal access to current information, ideas, and general knowledge through books, meaningful programs, and digital resources. Learn more about the Milbridge Public Library at www.milbridgelibrary.org.
 
“The Milbridge Public Library is very grateful for the donation we are receiving from the Bar Harbor Bank employees, said Lewis Pinkham, Town Manager for the Town of Milbridge. “These funds will go towards a wide variety of events, like bringing Maine authors into the library and helping our school children with grammar and writing skills. It will also help our Learning Center and 3D printing reach more of our patrons and show them all of the exciting things they can learn.”
 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to St. Joseph’s Healthcare. Pictured from left to right: (front row) Joe Pratt, SVP Senior Wealth Manager at Bar Harbor Wealth Management (BHWM); Brad Coffey, President of Joseph Hospital Foundation; (middle row) Destinee McBean-Knight, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Crystal Richards, VP Regional Relationship Manager at BHBT; Stacie Madrid, AVP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Ruth Dunbar, VP Senior Wealth Manager at BHWM; Judy Kelly, Portfolio Administrator at BHBT; Zac Riitano, VP Portfolio Manager at BHBT; (back row) CJ Carver, Personal Banker at BHBT; Jacob Gignac, Fraud Analyst at BHBT; Steven Smith, Financial Consultant at Bar Harbor Financial Services; Adam Robertson, SVP Middle Market Relationship Manager at BHBT; Robert Freese, VP Wealth Manager at BHWM; Will Hatt, SVP Regional Relationship Manager at BHBT; and Barbora Higgins, VP Commercial Credit Team Leader at BHBT.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare was founded in 1947 with a mission to support the overall wellness and healing of a patient’s mind, body, and spirit. The 112-bed acute care community hospital offers medical, surgical, orthopedic, and cardiopulmonary care as well as laboratory services, physical and occupational therapy, and a 24-hour Emergency Department. Learn more at https://stjosephbangor.org/.
 
“It is an honor for St. Joseph Healthcare to have been chosen for this by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said Brad Coffey, President of St. Joseph Foundation. “This generous gift will be utilized through three St. Joseph Healthcare programs that provide food, clothing and emergency financial assistance for employees and patients. Those receiving these supports are always grateful, and, thanks to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees, we will be able to care for more people in the coming year.”
 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Whitneyville Public Library. Pictured from left to right: John Duddie, VP Community Banking Relationship Manager at BHBT; Erin Martin, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Susan Albee, VP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Lynn Huffman, Personal Banker at BHBT; and Patricia Brightly, Librarian at Whitneyville Public Library.

Whitneyville Public Library was founded in 1966 and located in a two-room schoolhouse built in 1868 that previously served as the elementary school. The library moved to its current location in 2018 and currently has a collection of more than 16,000 books, consisting of 5,000 children’s books and 11,000 books for adults. Learn more about Whitneyville Public Library at https://www.whitneyville.lib.me.us.
 
“It is a great feeling to know our work and contribution to the community is being rewarded by BHBT with their gift from BHBT’s employee-led Casual for a Cause program,” said Patricia Brightly, Librarian at Whitneyville Public Library. “We would like to thank everyone at BHBT for their support. The money received will go directly into our growing endowment so that BHBT's gift can keep giving year after year.”
 

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New Hampshire
 

Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Touchstone Farm. Pictured from left to right: (front row) Charles Seugling, SVP Regional Market Manager at BHBT; Penny MacFarlane, Personal Banker at BHBT; Kris Young, Executive Director of Touchstone Farm; Autumn Ciardelli-Zaryckyj, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; (back row) Rick Palermo, VP Mortgage Loan Officer at BHBT; Joanne Tercho, VP Portfolio Manager at BHBT; Tiffany Law, VP Community Banking Relationship Manager at BHBT; Shane Klardie, VP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; and Tamatha Laramie, Payment Solutions Sales Officer at BHBT.

Touchstone Farm is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of evidence-based equine programs for therapeutic riding and driving to more than 4,000 people annually. The organization serves children, adults, and veterans challenged with a diverse array of disorders including autism, downs syndrome, cerebral palsy, PTSD, TBI, and loss of limb. Learn more about Touchstone Farm at www.touchstone-farm.org.
 
“Our relationship with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and their employees is one we cherish,” said Kris Young, Executive Director of Touchstone Farm. “This Casual for a Cause donation will go a long way to care for our horses who work every day to positively change lives.”
 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to YMCA of Greater Nashua. Pictured from left to right: (front row) Jessica Cabinta, VP Regional Relationship Manager at BHBT; Charles Seugling, SVP Regional Market Manager at BHBT; Tiffany Law, VP Community Banking Relationship Manager at BHBT; (back row) Betelhem Assefa, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Cathy Donaher, AVP Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Joanne Ryan, Customer Service Representative at BHBT; Mike LaChance, CEO of YMCA of Greater Nashua; Kelli Wholey, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving at YMCA of Greater Nashua; Cindy McNickle, CFO of YMCA of Greater Nashua; and Michael Chadbourne, VP Residential Operations Manager at BHBT.

YMCA of Greater Nashua has a mission to instill values and provide opportunities for lifelong personal growth and the development of a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. YMCA of Greater Nashua offers hundreds of programs and operates four facilities. The primary program and service areas are child care, summer camp, youth sports, teen leadership, health and wellness, aquatics, dance, and the arts. Learn more about YMCA of Greater Nashua at https://nmymca.org.
 
“We are so grateful for our relationship with Bar Harbor Bank & Trust and appreciate the generous gift to support the children and families in our community served at the Y,” said Mike LaChance, CEO of YMCA of Greater Nashua. “This gift will help to eliminate the financial barrier for many families and enable them to participate and be positively impacted by our camp programs.”

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Vermont
 

Farm & Wilderness Foundation is a nonprofit organization situated on 4,800 acres of mostly forested land in the Green Mountains. The organization offers summer camp programs for youth to explore outdoor activities, from hiking, canoeing, rock climbing to organic farming, carpentry, and the arts, while learning important life skills such as teamwork and problem solving. Learn more about Farm & Wilderness Foundation at www.farmandwilderness.org.
 
“We are honored to have been selected by Bar Harbor and its employees for Casual for a Cause funding,” said Alisha Carberry, Board of Trustees Clerk for Farm & Wilderness Foundation. “This support will advance Farm & Wilderness Affordable for All program which ensures our transformative summer camps are accessible for all families, especially historically underserved families." 

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Photo Caption: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust (BHBT) presents a donation from the Bank’s Casual for a Cause program to Vermont Law and Graduate School. Pictured from left to right: Jay Fish, VP Regional Market Manager at BHBT; Sean McIntyre, VP Regional Relationship Manager at BHBT; Anne Maxham, Compliance Analyst at BHBT; Susan Thresher, Branch Relationship Manager at BHBT; Katherine Legacy, Assistant Branch Manager at BHBT; Jessica Gokey, Personal Banker at BHBT; Nathaniel Hibler, CFO and VP of Finance at Vermont Law and Graduate School; and Amy Chamberlin, AVP Payment Solutions Sales Officer at BHBT.

Vermont Law and Graduate School is one of the top five environmental law schools in the U.S. and is nationally renowned in restorative justice, climate change law, criminal law and clinical education. The school’s mission is to educate students in a diverse community to help them develop professional skills and ethical values and to serve as leaders in a global society that is increasingly interdependent and technological. Learn more about Vermont Law and Graduate School at www.vermontlaw.edu.
 
“To the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust who participate in Casual for a Cause, thank you for recognizing Vermont Law and Graduate School as a community asset,” said Rod Smolla, President of Vermont Law and Graduate School. “Vermont Law and Graduate School and Bar Harbor Bank stand together as Vermont institutions, caring for students and residents alike.”
 

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $4 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.