ACAP marks 40th anniversary
with special project
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Aroostook County Action Program’s staff are marking the organization’s 40th anniversary with a program designed to help clients stay warm this winter.
STAYING WARM this winter will be easier for ACAP clients, thanks to the Public Information Committee’s recent collection and distribution of hats, gloves and more. Pictured with the collection are, from left: Heidi Rackliffe, case manager; Torey Eaton, senior manager, employment and training; Renee Bragdon, community education specialist; Stan Targonski, job counselor; and Kim Smith, resource development.
MEMBERS OF THE ACAP Public Information Committee sort and package hats, mittens, scarves and yarn which were distributed to needy ACAP customers. Pictured from left are: Stan Targonski, job counselor; Kim Smith, resource development; and Heidi Rackliffe, case manager.
“After hearing from many ACAP staff that customers frequently come to the agency without some of the necessities to keep them warm during our long, cold season, members of the Public Information Committee decided to add a project to address this need as part of ACAP’s 40th anniversary recognition events,” said Susanne Sandusky, special projects manager.
Employees held a collection drive this fall, gathering a variety of hats, gloves, mittens and scarves that will be distributed to those in need.
“Collection boxes were placed at ACAP worksites and employees were generous in bringing in new or gently used gloves, mittens, scarves and hats, as well as skeins of yarn, to donate to this project,” Sankdusky said.
At the November Public Information Committee meeting, all items that had been donated were collected, sorted and bagged by size and type and labeled with stickers that read “Here’s a Warm Fuzzy to keep you warm from ACAP in fulfilling our mission as we celebrate our 40th anniversary.”
“About 172 bagged items were then distributed to ACAP Child and Family centers, WIC clinics, health centers and at the main office for LIHEAP and case management for customers in need,” said Sandusky.
Sandusky said items were also delivered to Homeless Services of Aroostook for their clients.
A local nonprofit agency will be working with the yarn to create more items.
“The yarn that was donated was given to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program that has volunteer knitters who make mittens and hats for children – many of which are made available to children in ACAP child care and Head Start,” she said.
“Additionally, a number of warm winter coats were made available and distributed. Employees were encouraged to offer them to any customer that they believe could use them,” added Sandusky.
Sandusky said word is already spreading of the success of the Warm Fuzzy program.
“I just wanted to let everyone know that Angel (at the LIHEAP office) has already given out several items from the ‘Stay Warm’ box the PIC committee prepared. She informed me that an elderly lady on fixed income was very excited to know that she would have something to wear. I also sat in on a meeting with two parents and their 13-month-old son who were each able to grab some gloves. Yeah! I think the boxes were a success – win-win for everyone,” said Heidi Rackliffe, LSW, ACAP case manager, in a note to Sandusky.
Sandusky said ACAP staff report that all 172 packages were given to customers within a two-week period.
“Because this has been such a success in its first month (November), the Public Information Committee plans to continue the collection and distribution of warm winter items throughout the season,” said Sandusky.
“While this is an ACAP staff project, donations are more than welcome for others. Just bring items to any ACAP site and be assured they will be given to children and adults who truly need them,” noted Sandusky.
For more information, call 764-3721.
