Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Makes 'Community Commitment' Donation

(BAR HARBOR, ME) September 5, 2008 - Through their Community Commitment program, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust makes meaningful donations to local, non-profit community organizations each month. A recipient for Community Commitment dollars is chosen monthly by a different Bank location. The funds are made possible through the generosity of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees, who in exchange for being able to dress casually on Fridays, voluntarily pay into a charitable fund. The Bank matches the employee donations, doubling the amount given to the chosen non-profit organization.

For the month of August, the Bar Harbor branch of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust chose Island Connections to be the beneficiary of the Bank's Community Commitment program. Island Connections provides free services to the elderly and people with disabilities on Mount Desert Island and the surrounding off-shore islands that enable them to live independently and with a strong quality of life. "Our community has been stepping up to the plate financially to help purchase gas cards for our volunteer drivers," said Sue Olson, Program Coordinator at Island Connections. "This gift from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust will be used for that purpose, so that these volunteers can continue their good work without it becoming a financial burden."

Island Connections is in the fall of it's 11th year, offering neighbors on Mount Desert Island a helping hand that makes their lives a little easier and a little better. More than 100 dedicated volunteers have found greater fulfillment and purpose in their own lives by providing over 6,000 rides during 2007 to about 300 community members, getting them to doctors appointments, dialysis and delivering meals. Some people who use Island Connections require once a week, or up to three times a week, trips to necessary appointments. Volunteer drivers receive $20 gas cards for trips to Bangor and $10 gas cards for trips to Ellsworth.

Additional financial and volunteer support is needed by Island Connections so that they can continue to serve neighbors on MDI and those residing on the outer islands. To make your donation to Island Connections, checks can be mailed to 15 Eagle Lake Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. For information about volunteering or receiving services call 288-4457 or go to .

Founded in 1887, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is a community bank with 12 locations along the coast of Maine. They offer a full range of financial services and products for families, businesses, and non-profit organizations. Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is subsidiary of Bar Harbor Bankshares (AMEX:BHB). For more information call 207-288-3314 or go to www.bhbt.com.

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(left to right) Sue Olson, Program Coordinator at Island Connections receives the Community Commitment donation from Debbie Mitchell-Dow, Branch Relationship Manager at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust in Bar Harbor.