BRUNSWICK

Volunteers representing Downeast Energy, L.L. Bean Manufacturing, Brunswick Knights of Columbus, Bowdoin College and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/ Brunswick turned out for United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s Day of Caring to lend a hand at local nonprofit organizations.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters and their associates raked leaves and performed other needed chores on behalf of nonprofit agencies such as Family Focus, Greater Bath Elder Outreach Network and the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program.

Five employees from Downeast Energy spent an afternoon at the Bath Early Learning Center of Family Focus, filling raised garden beds with soil and peat moss so children and staff can plant flowers and bulbs for spring and a patch of pumpkins for Halloween next year.

The volunteers also helped clear and expand the play area for the children.

A team from L.L. Bean Manufacturing and Brunswick Knights of Columbus helped to organize an outdoor storage shed and indoor storage space at Family Focus’ Brunswick Early Learning Center.

“All of us at Family Focus are so pleased with the enthusiastic support shown from the volunteers from Downeast Energy, L.L. Bean Manufacturing and Brunswick Knights of Columbus,” said Sheila Youmans, Executive Director of Family Focus. “We are all extremely appreciative of their efforts.”

A group of students from Bowdoin College showed up at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick and cleaned the soup kitchen’s ovens, stove hood and filters. MCHPP Executive Director Karen Parker indicated that the program needed help getting to the heavier cleaning because numbers are increasing for the soup kitchen and the volunteers from Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program are spending more time preparing and serving meals.

“Without volunteers, most nonprofit organizations would not be able to do their work in our communities,” said Angie Buxton, volunteer initiative coordinator at United Way of Mid Coast Maine. “Volunteers can help in many different ways, whether working at a food pantry, clearing walking trails, reading to children, tutoring adults, or serving on a board of directors.”

For more information about volunteering, call Angie Buxton at United Way of Mid Coast Maine, 443-9752.

United Way of Mid Coast Maine’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. In partnership with thousands of donors, United Way works on community solutions in the areas of education, financial stability, and health. It funds local programs that change thousands of lives in Brunswick and Harpswell, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.