Bank employees raise $4,500 for youth camp

4 years ago

HOULTON, Maine — The Pine Tree Society recently received $4,500 from funds raised by employees of a local community bank to benefit Pine Tree Camp. 

“Every Friday, Katahdin Trust employees from our 16 northern Maine, greater Bangor and Portland area offices can participate in our Casual Because We Care program,” said Natasha McCarthy, vice president, human resources director. “Our employees were very pleased to contribute to Pine Tree Camp, a camp that has been transforming the lives of Maine people with disabilities since 1945.”

Katahdin Trust employees can dress casually every Friday in support of various non-profit organizations throughout Maine. Each employee that participates in Casual Because We Care donates a minimum of $1 in exchange for the privilege to dress casually and wear jeans.

“Pine Tree Society is honored to accept this generous gift from Katahdin Trust employees,” said Noel Sullivan, Pine Tree Society’s President and CEO. “We are preparing to celebrate 75 years of Pine Tree Camp in 2020 and a significant part of our legacy is our open-door policy which has been in place since the day camp’s gate first opened. 

“The generosity shown by Katahdin Trust employees will impact the campership fund in support of our promise to never turn a camper away due to inability to pay tuition. We thank Katahdin Trust for sharing in the belief that a barrier-free summer camp experience should be available to all,” Sullivan said.

Pine Tree Camp, a program of Pine Tree Society, opened its gates in 1945 as a summer camp for children with physical disabilities. Over the years, it has evolved into a place where children and adults with disabilities are able to participate in all the recreational activities for which Maine is known all year long.