Patriot Cares, Patriot Shares - 2025

Our October edition of "Patriot Cares, Patriot Shares" takes us up to the Falmouth Food Pantry. Established in 2008, the FFP currently serves an average of 200 families, roughly 800 people, primarily in Falmouth, Portland, and Westbrook. We spoke with the Executive Director Dorothy Blanchette, who founded the pantry, who detailed some of the key points that make this all-volunteer organization unique. Operations are located in what used to be the Falmouth Police Station next to the Town Hall, boxes are first packed with nonperishable items, and then a bag of meat, eggs and fresh produce is added. Unlike other pantries where clientele come in, the FFP makes home deliveries. This extra service assures that everyone served gets a balanced portion of goods, there is no worry about items running out before all are served. Second, it gets products to people who may be shut in, disabled, or have heavy work schedules, and unable to make the narrow window of time that a pantry is open. Third, knowing the needs of a client, items can be specialized to some degree for them. Patriot Subaru and Patriot Acura will take a percentage of sales during the week of Oct 6-11, and donate that to the FFP. We look forward to our visit with Dorothy and her team!

This made perfect sense! For September, our "Patriot Cares, Patriot Shares" community support program teamed up with Safe Kids Maine. Their mission is to educate parents and caregivers on ways to reduce preventable childhood injuries. Taking a percentage of sales during the first week of September 1-6, we raised $2250! We met with Executive Director Suzanne Grace, while Safe Kids was conducting a Car Seat Safety Check over at the South Portland Western Ave Fire Station. Suzanne explained some startling facts: In 2024 at car seat safety checks conducted by Safe Kids revealed that 9 out of 10 children's car seats were not installed or used correctly. Our donation from both Patriot Subaru and Patriot Acura will go to increase the number of safety check events and training programs for parents, schools, and communities. If you are a parent or guardian, go to their website: https://safekidsmaine.org/ and read up about on safety information, not only for car seats, but also for bicycling safety, water (pools, lakes, ocean) safety, as well as home, fire prevention and gun safety. It's a tremendous resource -but only if you use it!  We look forward to working with Safe Kids Maine on other events, supporting their efforts to keep our children happy and safe!

"Patriot Cares, Patriot Shares"  and we're on board with SailMaine, a community-based non-profit that offers affordable access to the water through unique programs and education. We first met with Exec. Director Michael McAllister who gave us insight into their goals and capabilities, and after hearing the scope, opted to name SailMaine as our August partner for Cares/Shares. From this, we generated $2250 between our two Patriot stores, and went down to the sailing center on the East End, Portland.  What a spectacular day to be on the water! SailMaine offers programs for Junior to Adult Learn-To-Sail, High School Racing, Adaptive Sailing for those with disabilities, the City Sailor program for underserved youth and a Summer Camp. Program scholarships are made available through donations from individuals, grants, and corporations. Both Patriot Subaru and Patriot Acura are passionate about life-changing programs that take advantage of Maine's natural resources. www.sailmaine.org   On the dock, Jill Napijalo, Hannah Hodgdon, Erin Quigley, Dan Walker, Breeana Mawhinney, Michael McAllister, and Kody Burns. Anchors Away!

For July, our community initiative"Patriot Cares, Patriot Shares"was rockin' with the Maine Academy of Modern Music! With facilities in Portland, Augusta, Bangor along withschool partnerships on the midcoast, MAMM is dedicated to providing a diverse range of music classes and opportunities for all ages. The influence of music is profound; it fosters collaboration and cultivates a sense of community. Music serves as a healthy, positive, and enjoyable means of creative expression, while also providing an environment to develop essential life skills. Our team met with Founder/Exec Dir. Jeff Shaw and Kerstin Gilg, Development Mgr, and presented a combined donation of $2100 from Patriot Acura and Patriot Subaru, earned during the week of July 7-12. The summer camp was in session, and it was wonderful to hear these young musicians rocking out. Perhaps there is an American Idol among them, or a gold-record band is forming, but most important is seeing these kids excited and engaged in a skill that can endure a lifetime. Our associates from Patriot Acura and Patriot Subaru will be listening! L-R Jeff Shaw, Patriot's Megan Cogswell, Ethan Payne, Maddie Randall, Dustin Kimball, Greg Simpson, with Kerstin Gilg. Rock On! MAMM Website

In May, Patriot Subaru's "12 Weeks of Giving" program supported bike riding. For June, we're still riding, but this time it's on horseback! Meet Hearts & Horses Riding Center LLC, founded by Stephanie Keene, who saw the therapeutic value and the positive effect horses can have for people of all ages with or without disabilities. The farm hosts year-round riding lessons, camp sessions, and after-school 'Barn Buddies' programs. They also host therapeutic riding programs, which improve balance, muscle tone, range of motion, and strength. Riders with emotional difficulties learn to understand their horses, while those with learning disabilities and cognitive challenges benefit from sensory integration. The therapeutic riding program also increases concentration, self-perception, and a sense of empowerment. Patriot will take a percentage of sales between June 2-7, and make a donation to support H&H. The following week, we'll head up to the farm in Buxton and meet the team. Hi Ho!  Hearts & Horses Website

We went for a ebike ride! Patriot Subaru associates Matt Rieders, Rosina Bartlett, Will Ives and Tom Talbott hopped on the ebikes provided by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, and went for a great ride along Portland's Eastern Prom. We were led by BCM's Executive Director Andrew Zarro, Development Director Antonina Pelletier, and Membership Manager Travis Clough. As we stopped for a photo, our Patriot team presented the BCM with a donation of $1325 to help the program. Good timing - it was National Bike Week!  This was all part of Patriot's "12 Weeks of Giving" program,  recognizing all different kinds of organizations that work extremely hard to help build a better community. Since 1992, the BCM is the leading statewide bicycling and pedestrian advocacy group - riding, walking, and rolling! They work to improve both the access and conditions of the roads, trails, and walkways, believing that that these are both essential modes of transportation and fun lifelong healthy recreational activities that should be accessible to everyone. Through the Coalition, they engage, advocate, educate, and cultivate partnerships with towns and cities across Maine, hosting a wide variety of events. The BCM website is a great resource to learn more, including interactive road cycling maps. It's good for you, and the environment, all part of building a better place to live. Patriot - we may sell cars, but you'll see a lot of Subarus with bike racks!  Let's ride!  www.bikemaine.org

Patriot Subaru journeyed over to see Furniture Friends in Westbrook, welcomed by Kerry Palleschi, Communications Mgr, and Jenn McAdoo, Executive Director.  Our associates - Taylor Howard, Kaitlyn Wade, and Mitchell Rockenstire presented a donation of $1550 from our April edition of the "12 Weeks Of Giving" program. Jenn and Kerry shared the mission of Friends, and how they're able to assist low-income individuals and families with useful furniture essentials. We learned that many who are rising out of homelessness, substance abuse issues, or other economic factors can receive items including a bed, a couch, tables and chairs that provide comfort and dignity. These items are collected through donations from businesses or individuals. Next time you change out furniture goods that have been well maintained, gently used, consider making it a donation. Kerry noted that they're always working to get the word out and inspire more donations.  Since starting in 2012 number of families served has grown exponentially, and the need continues to grow. Thank you Furniture Friends for building this thoughtful and inspirational organization that is all about "Creating Homes. Rebuilding Lives."

Patriot Subaru opened in Saco, Maine in 2003, now in its 22^nd year. We're proud to be here in this historic town and have found many ways to be supportive of the community.  For March our "12 Weeks of Giving" program turned its attention to the good work of "Saco Main Street". We met with Executive Director Angie Presby, and Program Manager Karoline Ellis, who gave us a great overview of the goals and many programs facilitated by SMS. Taking the natural benefits of the area, they expand the quality by revitalizing buildings and open areas through fundraising, entrepreneurial projects, and business partnerships. SMS is an extension of Main Street America representing 1200 communities nationwide, all with a goal to keep that fabric of local in-town shopping, dining, entertainment, and socialization vibrant. It's what makes Saco a great place to live and do business. Patriot provided a donation of $1350 from our 12 Weeks event, and our team noted our appreciation for being a part of this great business community!

One of the best aspects of our "12 Weeks of Giving" program is that we have been introduced to so many top-notch charitable and service organizations in our community, seeing first-hand their impact on people.  Such was the case with the Margaret Murphy Centers for Children, working right in our Saco backyard. Serving the youngest of students from age 3 up to the age of 22, the Center focuses on intensive educational and therapeutic clinical services to children with developmental delays, autistic developmental disabilities, and emotional and behavioral issues, namely anxiety and ADHD. Early intervention, Elementary, Middle, and High School programs all require different levels of expertise and approach. Accordingly, the Center is capable of helping and creating positive experiences for students as they transition through each stage of development. From our "12 Weeks" program, Patriot Subaru named MMCC as our February recipient, earning $1675 for their program. In so doing, we met with Director Nicole Neal, and Special Ed TeacherMichelle "Shelly" Wilbar for a tour of the school. Simultaneously we have started an intern/volunteer program here at Patriot for a student. We're excited to get that going and will share more about that experience down the road. For now, we're just pleased to get to know the important work being accomplished and telling more people about it!

Patriot Subaru kicked off "12 Weeks of Giving 2025" by connecting with Family Promise Greater Portland. Though Family Promise is a national organization, each chapter operates independently, "helping families experiencing homelessness and low-income families achieve sustainable independence." We earned $1275 for their program and went over to one of their transitional houses in Portland, to meet with Executive Director Michelle Lamm and other board members and case managers to learn more. We were touched at the seeing 8 different members there to meet us, and with 5 Patriot associates it was a big meeting. Fun and lots of energy. The transitional house currently had 2 families, a safe home in a friendly neighborhood. Many of these new Mainer families have a very difficult time finding a place to live, and the case workers are ready to help with budgeting, applications, and references.  Support is provided for moving in, including the provision of furniture and household goods. Case managers as well as volunteers serve as mentors in good tenacy and maintenance. On top of that, there is financial assistance for rent, utilities, food, transportation, utilizing safety net programs like SNAP, TANF, and General Assistance. We were very impressed at the scope of the program, and the outgoing, enthusiastic Family Promise team. Helping to build a bigger and better neighborhood, and helping families create a better future. From Family Promise:  Adolfo Lucadji, Parivash Rohani, Clarice Lima, Amy Holland, Linda Anderson, Brent Wilson, Jill Rosenthal, Michelle Lamm and from Patriot Subaru Ryan Goodwin, Jasmine Goldsmith, Rosina Bartlett, and Nick Walsh. Thank you Family Promise, we love what you do!