Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – In celebration of its 30th year in business, Barresi Financial, Inc. wants to assist in fund-raising efforts for another downtown organization, the Wintergreen Arts Center. “We thought we should find some way to celebrate our anniversary,” said Nathan Berry, Barresi Financial business partner. “A few years ago when we celebrated our 25th, we had a dinner for clients and had a speaker come in, but this time we thought maybe a better way would be to give back to the community.
“Several of us in the firm are pretty excited to see the energy around the Wintergreen Arts Center and their new location,” he said, “but also saw that they definitely had a need to get some additional funds before the end of the year, so we decided to create a matching grant opportunity.”
Symbolic of Barresi Financial, Inc.’s 30 years in business, during the first 30 days in December, the company’s goal is to raise $3,000 through generous donations by the community.
“Barresi Financial will match dollar for dollar up to $3,000, with the hopes of raising $6,000 or more for Wintergreen Arts,” said Berry. “This would be a huge help to their capital campaign and bringing this excellent opportunity to the youth of Aroostook County. Several people in our office with children and grandchildren used the Wintergreen Arts Center when it was in the Aroostook Centre Mall and had been involved in the Kinderfest and Oktoberfest and are excited about the new center opening up, so we wanted to get involved.
“In our industry, we do a lot of group health insurance, investments and college savings accounts, so it’s very important that we have young parents and young children in the area,” he said. “I think this gives a unique outlet for those parents and children to take part in. Clients, our strategic partners, the general public … anybody who wants to give any amount can do so. This is a way for people who haven’t donated yet to double that donation.”
Lara Cannon, president of the Wintergreen Arts Center, said she was pleased to learn of Barresi Financial’s generous undertaking.
“This effort reflects Barresi Financial’s strong commitment to the community and their desire to invest in our quality of life and place,” said Cannon, a professional portrait painter and mural artist. “We look forward to being good downtown neighbors with Barresi Financial by creating a beautiful place for creativity and innovation in Aroostook County.”
Checks can be mailed to the Wintergreen Arts Center, P.O. Box 1252, Presque Isle, Maine 04769 prior to Dec. 30. Donations can also be made online through PayPal at www.wintergreenarts.org. Reference “Barresi Financial” on your check on online when you give, and officials with Barresi Financial will deliver a check matching the contributions Dec. 31.
Berry said in addition to being recognized for their contributions by the Wintergreen Arts Center, Barresi Financial, Inc. also plans to create a publication thanking everyone who has donated.
Wintergreen Arts Center is a non-profit organization located in downtown Presque Isle. It was founded through a volunteer-led effort in 2006 and operated for the first two years in the Aroostook Centre Mall. Thanks to the generosity of downtown property owners, Wintergreen has a new home until 2019. Fund-raising is currently under way for the restoration of the old Wight Furniture Building, located at 149 State St.
