At Patriot Subaru in Saco, Maine, we believe that the season of giving shouldn't just be during the holidays. That's why we created our 12 Weeks of Giving campaign, an initiative that supports local charities and community non-profits in our area. To help channel our giving, we have partnered with the United Way of York County and United Way of Greater Portland to identify programs and initiatives that support healthy communities and bright futures.  After all, we are only as strong as the community we serve.

How does it work? During the first week of every month in 2021, we will be giving back to a different local organization. We will donate $25 from the price of every car we sell during the donation week. We will double the donation if the purchaser lives in the zip code where the organization is located.

Patriot teamed with the United Way of York County and United Way of Greater Portland who work year-round to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. We saw how they unite individuals and organizations around a shared vision, working to improve the education, financial stability, and health for all citizens.  They embody the Patriot Mission Statement: "To Serve", and we are proud that they have joined us on this initiative.

Our May Charity:  Bright Beginnings / Sweetser, York County

From May 3rd-8th,  "12 Weeks" will work on behalf of Bright Beginnings, a program ensuring all York County children, from birth through age 8, have the best possible start for lifelong learning and success.  Bright Beginnings is a strategic priority area for United Way of York County, and is delivered to the community through the programs and partnerships like Sweetser.

Sweetser's School-based service utilizes licensed clinicians who collaborate with school staff, primary care physicians and families to reduce emotional and behavioral challenges that are obstacles to school success,  and to work with children and families who are at risk. Sweetser's mission to provide quality treatment, support and hope to children, families and adults through a network of mental and behavioral health, developmental, and educational services.

Patriot was introduced to the Bright Beginnings program via our partnership with the United Way of York County, who has teamed up with us to guide us in our selection of non-profit organizations in southern Maine. Patriot supports these important programs and initiatives that are creating healthy communities and bright futures through "12 Weeks of Giving".

Previous Month's Charitable Partners

Our April Charity: Greater Portland Workforce Initiative

April introduced the Greater Workforce Initiative to our "12 Weeks" Program, and Patriot was able to generate a donation of $1700 to this organization. Accepting the check on behalf of GPWI was Kwame Yeboah, Senior Project Manager, joined by Mike Young from the United Way of Greater Portland. The United Way provides a great resource for helping us identify excellent non-profits who make a difference. In this case, dollars will go to support GPWI's Thrive2027 Goal 2, helping our neighbors to thrive, not just survive. GPWI addresses critical needs from local employers, and training for individuals seeking employment. Making these connections, getting talented people the opportunity to join top businesses, is a great way to build and fortify a community. Count us in! 

 

Our March Charity: Kids First Center, Scarborough

March was chilly but no snow, so half lamb, half lion!  Either way, things warmed up at Patriot and the resulting donation from vehicle sales earned $1425 for our 12 Weeks charity, the Kids First Center of Scarborough. Brian Beattie/ GM Patriot Subaru in center, presented the check to Tim Robbins, Executive Director at Kids First, with Jason Ketterick, Chief Engagement Officer for the United Way of York County giving the thumbs up.

The Kids First Center focus is to help children during the challenging time of separation or divorce of their parents, essentially keeping them out of the middle when the communication between adults is not productive. Kids engage with online support groups, aided by professionals working with the families in transition. The goal is to reinforce positive co-parenting communication skills, and assist parent's efforts to raise healthy, happy, well- adjusted children.  Important work indeed.   Thank you from Patriot, the United Way York County, and the families you serve!

Our February Charity: Cooking For Community

Our February partner, Cooking for Community Maine, received a check for $1050. Volunteer Operations Coordinator Ian Malin pictured on the right, visited Patriot to receive the donation from David Shoemaker, our General Sales Manager. C4C formed in response to Covid in May of 2020. Their aim is to raise money to buy food - much of it local, then compensating local restaurants to prepare meals for those in need. Not only is it feeding people who may be homeless or out of work, it is helping to keep restaurants and their staff working, as well as giving farmers a place to sell their goods - all levels that were hit hard by the pandemic. From May -Dec 2020, it resulted in 75,000 distributed meals. Amazing work - thank you C4C, and to all of the sponsors, farmers, restaurant personnel and volunteers that made it work!

Our January Charity: Westbrook Families Feeding Families

In January, we helped contribute to the amazing work done by Westbrook Families Feeding Families. Their goal is to help feed local families the food they need in order to stay healthy, active, and engaged with our community. What started in a member of the organization's garage is now rapidly growing to help families in Maine. This non-profit serves about 30 families a week with 60-80 bags of non-perishable groceries.

We are excited to announce that we were able to donate $1,475 to this incredible organization through your Subaru purchases. Every single dollar went directly toward purchasing more food for those in need. At Patriot Subaru, our mission is to be people who serve people. The 12 Weeks of Giving initiative is helping us do just that.