The family of a former critical care nurse for the U.S. Navy and LifeFlight of Maine reached out to a newly formed nonprofit in Phippsburg to establish a fund for individuals and families in need.

Heidi Yeaton died suddenly in March. Yeaton’s legacy lives on through a new community initiative called Phippsburg Community Access Resources Events Services (CARES), which established the Heidi Hope Fund on March 31.

The Heidi Hope Fund will help Phippsburg residents in times of special need, seeking help with food, heat, medicine and other unexpected expenses.

Phippsburg CARES is an all-volunteer, community-led effort that started early this year. The new nonprofit aims to build a more supportive community for all ages through better communication and access to vital information, services and resources.

“We were devastated to learn of Heidi Yeaton’s untimely death and the family’s sudden loss, but feel very fortunate to be able to memorialize her with this fund as a way to continue her generous service and kindness to others,” said Phippsburg CARES founder Susan Duncan.

Yeaton’s surviving family members contacted Phippsburg CARES to see if the nonprofit would establish the fund. The Heidi Hope Fund is privately funded by Yeaton’s family, neighbors and friends. Phippsburg CARES hopes to achieve 501(c)(3) status this summer or early fall, making the Heidi Hope Fund eligible to receive grant money.

“Heidi was a dedicated and skilled health professional whose innovative thinking went above and beyond,” said Suzanne Smith, Heidi’s former supervisor at MaineHealth. “The innovation she introduced to MaineHealth was brilliant and earned Heidi a great deal of respect, which she shared at national conferences and industry events.”

After serving as a flight nurse from 1997 to 2004, Yeaton worked at MaineHealth from October 2011 to May 2022 in value analysis nursing and critical care contracting. She received her master’s degree in clinical informatics and health care analysis in 2013, and from 2022 until her death, she worked at Yankee Alliance as a value analysis specialist.

According to a flyer sent out this month, Phippsburg CARES plans to launch a satellite food bank site, a heating fund, transportation, and a monthly newsletter. Donations for the Heidi Hope Fund can be mailed to P.O. Box 165, Phippsburg, ME 04562.