Jane Irish United Way Campaign Director Jane Irish and Loaned Executives Newt Blakesley of Westport Island and Vickie Hoyle of Wiscasset take the stage at the Wizard of Oz-themed campaign finale on Nov. 7.

The United Way Campaign for the people of Mid Coast Maine soared past its goal this fall, raising a total of $1,930,134 -- $95,000 over its $1,835,000 goal.

"What an amazing success, for so many people!" said Campaign Chair Darlene Chalmers, Director of Mid Coast Senior Health Center, noting that about 20,000 Mid Coast residents each year receive life-changing help from United Way-funded programs. "THANK YOU to everyone who worked on this campaign, and everyone who contributed!"

The results were announced to an excited crowd at United Way's Campaign Finale, which featured the "Wizard of Oz" theme that had been used throughout the campaign. Work will continue over the next few weeks to bring in the remaining individual gifts and projected donations that make up part of the announced total.

The overall Campaign Excellence Award was presented to the employees of Bath Savings Institution and Trust. Led by the volunteer team of Maria Brown, Lisa Dube, and Sandra Holland, every employee was reached in half-hour rallies featuring United Way and agency speakers, the local video, homemade muffins, special company incentives, and personal stories. "Bath Savings reached 100% of their goal, and has an incredible employee participation rate of 93%," said Chalmers. "We are proud to present you with United Way's Campaign Excellence Award!"

The Volunteer of the Year Award, usually presented to one individual, this year was presented to the FHC Employee Team. FHC, in Bowdoin, has won the Campaign Excellence Award three times in the past. This year the FHC volunteer team was honored not only for organizing a fun, successful campaign, including an employee potluck lunch and silent auction with donated items, but for their extraordinary volunteer spirit that creates other special events and programs as well. The FHC team invited the community to a Halloween Haunted Trail this year, with all proceeds going to United Way. The company also has a health club, invites the public in, promoting healthy lifestyles, and donates all fees to United Way. "The whole company embraces this spirit of community in so many ways," said Chalmers in presenting the award. "Every day, without exception, they do something for United Way."

Another highlight of the campaign was the Bath Iron Works campaign, which raised $760,000. Overall giving, leadership giving, and sustained giving -- employees giving 1% or more of their pay to United Way year in and year out - all grew significantly over last year's excellent results. The volunteer team, led by Sharon Guay of Local S6 and Dena Davis, with Loaned Executive Steve Young, organized hundreds of group meetings to reach thousands of employees with the United Way message and video. A highlight of the Campaign Finale was a musical skit by the BIW volunteer team, based on the characters from the Wizard of Oz all working for their community through United Way.

Division Awards went to The Times Record (Commerce and Industry Division), Bath Public Schools (Education Division), Five County Credit Union (Finance & Professional Firms Division), Mid Coast Health Services (Health Division), the Brunswick Sewer District (Public Service Division) and the Bath Iron Works' Brunswick Industrial Park facility.

Another highlight of the Finale were the drawings for an Old Town Kayak donated by L.L. Bean, and three $500 Home Heating Oil Gift Cards, donated by Downeast Energy. The winners included a resident of East Boothbay and employees of Elmhurst, L.L. Bean, and Thornton Oaks.

L.L. Bean and Downeast Energy were thanked and presented with Outstanding Organizational Support Awards.

The organizations providing or sponsoring Loaned Executives were thanked for this critical support: Bath Iron Works, Local S6, Bath Savings Institution, Burgess Computer, Downeast Energy, FHC, Inc., and L.L. Bean. Loaned Executives working full-time on the campaign for eleven weeks were: Newt Blakesley, Amanda Dickinson, Vickie Hoyle, Sarah McLuer, Mike O'Gara, and Steve Young.

In addition to Chalmers, the 2007 United Way Campaign Cabinet included: Vice Chair Pamela Bowerman of Norway Savings Bank; Dena Davis, BIW; Sharon Guay, Local S6/BIW; Keith Koehler, Bisson Moving & Storage; Jim Mazur; Marianne Colburn, Bath Savings Institution; Cindy Leavitt, Miles Hospital; Rita Renaud, Mid Coast Hospital; Charlie Ault, Border Trust; Janine Thompson, Atlantic Regional Federal Credit Union; Iman Poeraatmadja, Burgess Computer; Malcolm Andrews, Brunswick; Hannah McGhee, Healthy Kids! A Family Resource Network; and Michael Field, Bath Police Chief.