Acadia Hospital founders to provide children’s quilts

BANGOR — The Acadia Hospital Founder’s Endowment has raised more than $30,000, some of which will be used to provide personal quilts to youngsters admitted to the hospital.

“The comforters, (which the children keep), enable us to send a good message home with every one of the children,” said Dennis King, Acadia president.

A recognition ceremony was held March 22 to thank members of the community who contributed to the fund. A plaque was unveiled in the main lobby area of Acadia Hospital, and the quilt program was announced officially.

“Each youngster admitted to the children’s unit will go home with a new comforter, all their own. This is the first of many projects we hope to make possible through the generosity of the donors,” said Wilma Bradford, chairman of the planning-community relations committee at Acadia.

The endowment was begun with an initial contribution from Ralph and Anita Leonard when Acadia Hospital opened in 1992, providing services for children, adolescents and adults suffering mental health and chemical dependency problems.