Oct. 27 was national Make a Difference Day, with workplaces Bangor Hydro-Electric Co. and General Electric taking the opportunity to help some United Way of Eastern Maine agencies.

Employees and their families donated time and energy to help YWCA’s Camp Molly Molasses in Clifton and the Katahdin Area Boy Scouts’ Camp Roosevelt in Eddington.

Employees from Bangor Hydro-Electric spent the day cleaning and doing light repair work at the YWCA’s day camp. They put covers on the camp doors and windows, raked the grounds free of pine needles and leaves, put away picnic tables and picked up trash.

Eight-year-old Chris Desmond, son of Hydro employee Steve Desmond, said, “I’m really glad we came out that morning to help [Camp Molly staffer] Peter because he’s the only one at the YWCA that does this kind of work. Without our help, he would have been there all day.”

General Electric employees worked hard to help fix up and close up Camp Roosevelt for the season. Along with their volunteered time, GE employees also donated approximately 30 gallons of stain as well as bringing their own tools and generator to get the job done.

Camp Roosevelt staff member Paul Thompson said that not only did the company share immensely through its efforts of time and energy, but the group also bought pizza for everyone at lunchtime.

United Way’s mission is to help the people in the community to care for one another. United Way supports collaborative initiatives, volunteerism and health and human service programs to make eastern Maine the best place to live for all of its residents.

United Way raises and distributes funds to health and human service agencies in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.

United Way also sponsors these programs:

. InfoLine, a community and social services referral hot line at 1-800-204-2803 or 973-6815.

. Keeping Kids on Track, an effort to better the future of adolescents ages 10-14.

. Greater Bangor Communities for Children, a joint project of United Volunteers and Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

. A gifts-in-kind clearinghouse. For more information, call United Way at 941-2800, or check the Web at www.unitedwayem.org.