COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Innovation Workshop: What We Do

Following The River Fund Maine's COVID-19 Response, TRFM re-established a Community Fund in 2021. The Community extends grants to 501c3, school and government organizations in the community as well as provides

Support has been provided to The Bethel Community Ice Rink at Ethel Bisbee, Telstar High School's Future Business Leaders of America, Museums of The Bethel Historical Society, The Valentine Farm Conservation Center - Monarch Festival, and The Bethel Area Food Pantry.

Aimed to support unmet community needs, this fund is quick to act in times of need. Your donations mean the world to us and the community programs we support. We’re counting on your support to help us grow the support for our community.

The Bethel Area District Exchange and Food Pantry is dedicated to eliminating food and clothing insecurity in Western Maine.

The Bethel Area Food Pantry

Originally operating twice monthly from the Nazarene Church, the Food Pantry significantly increased its hours during the pandemic's first six months, opening weekly to meet the surge in need. Currently, they operate curbside pickup on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., serving up to 90 families with two weeks' worth of food each visit.

The River Fund Maine & Sunday River were happy to supply Bethel Area Food Pantry clients with their holiday meals during the Thanksgiving holiday season, and provide support to their mission to support the Bethel citzens.

Valentine Farm Conservation Center - The Monarch Festival

The Mahoosuc Land Trust’s annual Monarch Festival is an effort to raise awareness of habitat loss for some of Maine’s key pollinators and to inspire visitors to enhance their home landscapes to support these threatened pollinators. It is a free, family friendly, community-wide event at the Valentine Farm Conservation Center. Our partnership ensures that the annual event can continue to deliver a free, quality educational experience for all.

Monarchs are among the most visible and well-known of the local pollinators to frequent the garden, and therefore make a logical poster species for an educational event. They are also critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss. Watching monarch caterpillars munch milkweed leaves, chrysalises hatch into new butterflies, and tagging butterflies before their return to Mexico are interactive ways to engage and educate visitors and to inspire them to plant pollinator-friendly gardens at home.

The festival is a celebration of the ongoing work in the Habitat for All garden, but it is also an opportunity for visitors to learn more about Mahoosuc Land Trust’s land conservation and other environmental efforts.

Museums
of the
Bethel Historical Society

"Arriving Home" tells the rich and layered story of the Bethel region, weaving together the experiences of those who have called it home, whether permanently or temporarily.

This exhibit explores the forces that shaped the community, from the transformative impact of transportation, like the arrival of the railroad, to the contributions of diverse immigrant groups, such as the Irish and Finnish. A significant focus is placed on the hospitality industry and tourism, highlighting its importance from the 19th century to the present day, with special attention to the ski industry and Sunday River – a connection we believe to be of particular interest to the River Fund.

We will also honor the sacrifices made by local members of the Armed Forces and civilians during times of war, and celebrate the tireless work of individuals and organizations who have strengthened community ties.

The goal is to create an evolving exhibit that serves as a point of pride for the Bethel community, an essential destination for visitors, and a source of new discoveries for longtime residents. Opened on June 2022, showcasing key artifacts, interpretive panels, and photographs, and the exhibit continues to update with new research, acquisitions, and technical improvements as resources allow.

Innovation Workshop: Image

FUTURE BUSINESS LEADERS

AMERICA

The River Fund Maine is a proud sponsor of Maine State FBLA.

We are delighted to share that two Telstar High School students are serving in state-wide leadership positions for the 2021-2022 school year.

PROJECT GRADUATION

Project Graduation, a program born in Oxford Hills, Maine in 1980, significantly reduced alcohol-related teen fatalities nationwide by providing safe, substance-free graduation celebrations.

Originating from a state-led alcohol and drug prevention initiative, it addressed a tragic spike in teen deaths. The program's success in Maine, marked by a dramatic drop in fatalities, led to its adoption across the US and Canada, becoming a national model for safe graduation celebrations. Its impact, recognized by national organizations like the CDC and NHTSA, extended beyond a single night to foster community-wide prevention efforts and open communication between youth and adults.

Mahoosuc Kids Association hosts after-school Wednesday ice skate for Crescent Park Elementary students!

Bethel Ice Rink

The Bethel Community Ice Rink, located in the heart of Bethel Village, offers a wonderful winter recreation opportunity.

This project aims to revitalize a valuable town-owned property. During the winter, the rink will be open during daylight hours. Future plans include installing lighting to allow for evening skating.

You'll find it on Philbrook Street, specifically on the site of the former Ethel Bisbee School. To get there, simply turn onto Philbrook Street from Main Street, next to Brooks Bros. hardware store. The rink is situated at the far end of the parking lot.

Bethel Recreation Department - New Equipment

The Bethel Community Ice Rink is located in the heart of Bethel Village on Philbrook Street, the site of the old Ethel Bisbee School. With generous support from donors, The River Fund Maine was able to procure a new 28" Cub Cadet snow blower for the 2023 season. This addition to the community ice rink lightens the workload for the incredible volunteer team making that winter magic, and improves the experience for all who utilize this community resource.

The easiest way to find out the status of the rink is to follow the Bethel Community Ice Rink Facebook group.

COVID-19 RESPONSE

During the COVID-19 crisis, the hospitality industry—the area’s largest employer— was one of the hardest hit economic segments. TRFM knew it was time to increase our service to the population we are dedicated to serving: the children and families of Maine, so we:

Made a substantial contribution to a local food initiative that provided up to 10,000 meals for the elderly and families with food insecurity.
Worked with the Telstar Regional school system (MSAD 44) to acquire internet enabled laptops for all students in the MSAD 44 area so that they could continue to go to school.

Paid the internet access fees for the 2020 academic year for any family in Andover, Bethel, Gilead, Greenwood, Newry and Woodstock in Oxford County, Maine whose wage earner has been furloughed due to a COVID-19 business closure.

The River Fund Maine is a trusted community partner, that’s quick to act in times of need.