Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Employees Donate More Than $18,000 Collected in Q3 2023 to Eight Nonprofit Organizations

Bar Harbor, Maine (November 15, 2023) – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $18,000 in donations collected through the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to eight nonprofit organizations serving Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont residents. The recipients of the donations for Q3 2023 are: Humane Society of Waterville Area, Maine Veterans’ Homes-Machias, Mano en Mano, and Phillips-Strickland House in Maine; American Legion Department of New Hampshire and Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center in New Hampshire; and Safer Society Foundation and South Royalton Area Food Shelf in Vermont.

Employees participating in Casual for a Cause dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on which nonprofits will receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $242,000 since the program began in 2018.

“The amount of money consistently donated through Casual for a Cause is a testament to how much our employees care about taking care of our neighbors and helping our communities thrive,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Their generosity of spirit and sense of community is inspiring.”

Recipients of Q3 2023 Donations

Maine

The Humane Society of Waterville Area has served as a safe haven for animals in need since 1970. The organization’s mission is to shelter animals until they find permanent homes, to educate the community about responsible pet ownership, and to advocate for the humane treatment of all animals. Learn more about the Humane Society of Waterville Area at hswa.org.

“The Humane Society of the Waterville Area is honored to be the chosen non-profit for the Casual for a Cause donation from the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Rae-Ann Demos, Executive Director for the Humane Society of the Waterville Area. “These funds will be used to support the medical costs for the animals we have the privilege of caring for.”

Maine Veterans’ Homes-Machias is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides long-term care services to Maine’s veterans and eligible family members. The Machias location provides assisted living/residential care; dementia and memory care; and respite care services. Learn more about Maine Veterans’ Homes at mainevets.org.

“On behalf of the residents, families and staff of Maine Veterans’ Homes-Machias, I wish to extend our deepest appreciation to the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for their generous donation to our resident activity fund,” said Arlena Fickett, RN, MLA, and Administrator of Maine Veterans’ Homes-Machias. “An engaging activities program promotes wellness and enhances the quality of life for all. We are honored to be community partners with BHBT as we carry out our mission of caring for those who served.”

Mano en Mano works with farmworkers statewide and immigrants in Downeast Maine to empower them to thrive. The organization envisions a stronger, more inclusive Maine where the contributions of diverse communities are welcomed; access to essential services, education and housing are ensured; and social justice and equity are embraced. Learn more about Mano en Mano at manomaine.org.

“Your gift is helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and children,” said Juana Rodriguez Vazquez, Executive Director of Mano en Mano. “Thank you for supporting families in Maine and for helping make sure that every child - no matter where they come from or what language they speak - has a bright start from the beginning. Your big hearts are helping make a difference. Thank you for investing in our community.”

Phillips-Strickland House is a nonprofit organization that provides a comfortable, pleasant, and professionally staffed living environment for people ages 65 and older who function independently with mutually agreed-upon support of daily living skills. Learn more about Phillips-Strickland House at pshouse.org.

“Bar Harbor Bank & Trust has always been integral to Phillips-Strickland House’s ability to carry forward with their mission of assisting our Maine senior’s to age with dignity,” said Sheldon Brett, Executive Director of Phillips Strickland House. “Your contribution will enhance the lives of our residents by bringing entertainment, events, and activities to our facility.”

New Hampshire

American Legion Department of New Hampshire is a patriotic veteran’s organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Their mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends, and families as embodied in the organization’s preamble. Learn more about American Legion Department of New Hampshire at legionnh.org.

“The American Legion Department of New Hampshire is grateful and pleased to receive this generous gift from the Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said David H. Quinn, Treasurer of American Legion Department of New Hampshire. “This donation will help to further our efforts as we work to serve our Veterans, promote youth programs and to benefit our communities at large.”

Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center is an American Camp Association accredited, faith-based camp and conference center located in the Monadnock Region. The organization’s camps connect young people to the natural world so they can feel cared for in mind, body, and spirit. Learn more about the Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center at bchcenter.org.

“As a non-profit camp and retreat center, we rely on the generosity of our community to help us ensure equitable access to this place of rest and play and relationship and connection to one another and to the natural world around us,” said Rev. Spencer Hatcher, Executive Director of Barbara C. Harris Camp & Conference Center. “Your gift helps support the many campers and groups that call this place home, even for a little while and we're so thankful.”

Vermont

Safer Society Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide services and resources for preventive and restorative responses to sexual and social violence. The organization’s New Circle Mentoring program provides at-risk children in Central Vermont the one-on-one support and encouragement of a caring adult to help them overcome the obstacles in their paths to healthy adulthood. Learn more about Safer Society Foundation at safersociety.org.

“Safer Society is grateful for the donations from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said Sarah Snow Haskell, Director of Operations at Safer Society. “The generosity of those in our community, whether big or small, inspires our team to continue our mission of creating a safer society free of sexual and social violence. The support received will help fund our resources for building hope and resilience in youths in Vermont and around the globe.”

South Royalton Area Food Shelf is a not-for-profit food distribution program run by the United Church of South Royalton. The program strives to alleviate hunger in the community by providing food assistance to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity. Learn more about South Royalton Area Food Shelf at unitedchurchofsoro.org/foodshelf.

“The Food Shelf is so appreciative,” said Bonnie Kenyon, Volunteer Representative at South Royalton Area Food Shelf. “A fair amount of our funds go to commodities that we cannot get from the Food Bank such as sugar, cooking oil, salt, boxed mixes such as cakes, potato mixes, pancake mixes and the like. We are very fortunate for people like Bar Harbor Bank employees who care about our community and give us such generous donations. It will certainly be a blessing for many as we start the winter months.”

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 $3.9 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.

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