Bar Harbor Bank & Trust Employees Donate More Than $22,000 to Northern New England Nonprofit Organizations

Bar Harbor, Maine (August 15, 2023) - Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $22,000 in donations collected through the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to seven nonprofit organizations serving Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont residents. The recipients of the donations for Q2 2023 are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick, Down East Family YMCA, Mount Desert Island YMCA, and Rotary Club of Rockland in Maine; Lebanon Opera House and New London Barn Playhouse in New Hampshire; and Vermont Community Foundation in Vermont.

Employees participating in Casual for a Cause dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected during each quarter. The employees then vote on which nonprofits will receive their contributions. Employees have donated more than $240,000 since the program began in 2018.

“Casual for a Cause is a great way for us as employees to make meaningful contributions to the causes we are passionate about,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “While the nonprofit organizations selected are diverse in the services they provide and the projects they champion, they share a common goal, and that is to create a better quality of life for our communities. It is our honor and pleasure to assist them with their efforts.”

Recipients of Q2 2023 Donations

Maine

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick is a full-service youth mentoring organization that matches adult and teen mentors to children ages 6-18, primarily from single-parent and low-income households. Mentors provide friendship, support, and guidance during the child’s critical childhood and adolescent years. Learn more about Big Brother Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick at www.bbbsbathbrunswick.org.

“We are thrilled to be the chosen nonprofit for the Casual for a Cause donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees,” said Carol Marquis, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick. “This donation will be put to work immediately to match Littles and support the families we serve. Thank you to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for this amazing gift and all you do for our community!”

Down East Family YMCA works to build strong communities, families, and individuals by fostering respect and promoting a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The Bank’s donation will support the organization’s camps, which are designed to provide campers with a variety of activities to help nurture an awareness of their physical surroundings as well as self-discovery. Learn more about Down East Family YMCA at www.defymca.org.

“The generosity of the staff at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust allows us to provide crucial assistance to the children and families that need it most,” said Matthew Johns, Director of Development at Down East Family YMCA. “We could not be more thankful for not only the leadership team at the bank, but for each and every employee who is committed to helping those we serve.”

Mount Desert Island YMCA works to develop community, character, personal growth in wellness and spirit, mind and body for the greater MDI community. The Bank’s donation will support scholarships for children with limited means so they can attend Camp Cadillac, the organization’s summer day camp for children in preschool through 5th grade. Learn more about Mount Desert Island YMCA at www.mdiymca.org.

“On behalf of the families and children in the Mount Desert Island community, we are grateful to receive the donations garnered from BHBT's employee-led Casual for a Cause fundraising,” said Ann Tikkanen, Executive Director of Mount Desert Island YMCA. “The trust, faith (and funds!) that BHBT employees put in our community Y for summer camp and all-important swim lessons for children, allows us to continue to strengthen the quality of life for everyone.”

Rotary Club of Rockland is a service organization made up of business, professional, and community leaders who work together to address community issues. The club is currently working to build an inclusive playground at MacDougal Park in Rockland that caters to all children no matter their abilities. Learn more about Rotary Club of Rockland at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/4205.

“We are so appreciative of the generous donation from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust which has given our Rotary Club a significant boost towards our fundraising goal,” said Susan Ware Page, Rotary Club of Rockland member and All Aboard Playground Committee Chair. “We are thrilled the employees chose to support our project with their Casual for a Cause program. It’s a true community project and we are honored to have their full support.”

New Hampshire

Lebanon Opera House presents live performances that inspire, educate and entertain; broadens cultural horizons by spotlighting a diversity of local, national, and international artists; encourages community participation in the arts; and stewards a special gathering place for community and school use that will engender future arts patrons and participants. Learn more about Lebanon Opera House at https://lebanonoperahouse.org.

“Lebanon Opera House is honored to be the recipient of a generous donation funded by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees through the Casual for a Cause program,” said Joe Clifford, Executive Director of Lebanon Opera House. “We believe that this type of employee-driven gift helps affirm the significant value that LOH brings to the Upper Valley. Gifts like this one provide critical support for our Annual Fund and help us provide transformative live arts experiences.”

New London Barn Playhouse is the oldest continuously operating summer theater in New Hampshire. The theater works to enrich and entertain the community with quality theater created by talented emerging artists in collaboration with accomplished professionals; provide outstanding educational opportunities to all ages that promote an understanding and love of theater; and to preserve the theater district. Learn more about New London Barn Playhouse at www.nlbarn.org.

“On behalf of the entire staff at the New London Barn Playhouse, I would like to express our deep appreciation for this offering of support from the Casual for a Cause program and the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust,” said Keith Coughlin, Executive Artistic Director at New London Barn Playhouse. “Funds received will support our on-going mission to provide the highest quality theater and arts educational programming to our region. We are proud to stand with you in the rich tapestry of businesses and organizations that continue to strive to make our communities better.”

Vermont

Vermont Community Foundation is a public charity made up of hundreds of funds and foundations created by Vermonters to serve their charitable goals. The Bank’s donation will go to the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund, which supports Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall impacting the state in 2023. Learn more about Vermont Community Foundation at https://vermontcf.org.

“The Vermont Community Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for their support of the VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund," said Dan Smith, President & CEO of Vermont Community Foundation. "This is a great example of how we can work collectively to get generous coordinated philanthropic support into the hands of the nonprofits that are helping individuals and businesses recover from this catastrophic flooding event.”

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating over 50 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine and has more than $3.9 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

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