FLAGPOLE RESTORED

Verso Paper Corp.’s Androscoggin Mill in Jay helped Frank L. Mitchell VFW Post 3335 of Livermore Falls raise its refurbished flagpole in a rededication ceremony last month. The mill donated its boom truck to help the VFW post take down the flagpole. After eight years of exposure to the weather, the pole needed to be painted and rigged with new cables and flags. When repairs were complete, Verso helped raise the flagpole as it did in 2002 when the pole was first installed.

ANNUAL CUSTOMER BALLOT

Kennebunk Savings Bank donated $80,000 to York County nonprofits as part of its annual customer ballot. For 16 years, the bank has provided customers with the opportunity to help direct a percentage of the bank’s annual charitable giving to a local nonprofit through a ballot process. This year, customers voted for Caring Unlimited to receive $1,688.

BANK ON COMMUNITY

Androscoggin Bank gave $29,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations that support community activities in the arts, education, environment, health, social services, animal welfare and community development. Recipients include the Independence Association, serving midcoast adults and children with disabilities; Living with Peace of Portland, supporting the acculturation and assimilation of immigrants to Maine; the Deertree Foundation, a nonprofit performing arts center in Harrison; Catholic Charities of Maine, founded in 1966 to create, administer and advocate programs and services throughout the state; Midcoast Symphony Orchestra, composed of 70 volunteer musicians; the LARK Society, promoting chamber music in Maine through performances and educational programs; Androscoggin Dance, for qualified high school students in the Lewiston-Auburn area to train at a pre-professional level; and Junior Achievement of Maine, teaching students about entrepreneurship.

GRANT TARGETS UNDERAGE DRINKING

The Maine Office of Substance Abuse awarded grants ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 to 15 law enforcement agencies to target underage drinking. The funding is provided by a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency. Agencies that received grants for Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2012 include police departments in Oakland, Rockland, South Portland, Saco, South Berwick, York, Augusta, Brownville, Cape Elizabeth, Caribou, Dover-Foxcroft and Ellsworth, and the Hancock County, Kennebec County and Washington County sheriffs’ offices.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

Northeast Delta Dental was honored with the Service Above Self Award by the Rotary Club of Saco Bay for its support of the University of New England College of Dental Medicine, the Counseling Services’ annual Drive Against Child Abuse fundraiser, and a number of oral health access and awareness initiatives throughout the state.

RUNNING FOR GOOD

Scarborough lawyer Dan Warren raised $1,625 for the Scarborough High School Baseball Boosters and Track Boosters in the annual Beach to Beacon Road Race in Cape Elizabeth. Warren collected pledges ahead of time that allowed him to raise funds depending on how many seconds he finished below 40 minutes in the 10-kilometer race. Warren finished 252nd in the race with a time of 38 minutes and 28 seconds.

PILOT DONATION

The Penquis Mental Health Association recently presented the town of Winterport with $350, a donation made in lieu of taxes for property operated by the Charlotte White Center in Winterport. The PILOT contributions are made based on the agency’s ability to generate sufficient funds each year, as contracts with the state of Maine are negotiated and fluctuate annually.

MDA TELETHON

C.N. Brown raised $32,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during a golf tournament at the Springbrook Golf Club in Leeds. Other events the company hosted this year included a bowl-a-thon, Jerseys Off Their Backs and the Miracle Ball. Funds from all of the events and programs go to monthly support group sessions, clinics at Maine Medical Center and Eastern Maine Medical Center, one week at MDA summer camp and life-saving research for 43 neuromuscular diseases.

CHARITY CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT

Easter Seals Maine recently received more than $5,900 from the NAIFA Southern Maine 26th annual Charity Classic Golf Tournament held at Dunegrass Country Club in Old Orchard Beach. The tournament and proceeds will be used to support Early Intervention Services, the All Aboard Preschool, Vocational Services and the Center for Therapeutic Recreation.

DAY OF CARING

Volunteers from ING and Liberty Mutual went to Advocates for Children as part of the United Way Day of Caring. They assisted with craft preparation for the agency’s upcoming Holiday Festival for Children. The fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4 and will feature children’s entertainer Rick Charette, yo-yo champ Brandon Baines, Spark’s Ark and a performance by the Youth Fiddlers Group with Greg Boardman. The festival has brought fun and games to local families for 25 years.