74 UWEM programs share $1.26 million

BANGOR – United Way of Eastern Maine announced last week that it has distributed more than $1.26 million to 74 programs at 45 health and human service agencies throughout the region this year.

The funds, raised by donors during the charitable organization’s 2002 campaign, were distributed by a committee of investment volunteers after a review of the agencies requesting the money. United Way of Eastern Maine serves agencies in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties.

Among agencies that received funding are:

. Spruce Run, which received $58,120, helps more than 100 victims of domestic violence in support groups and responds to more than 300 calls per month to its hot line.

. Eastern Agency on Aging received $34,000 to help its Meals For Me program.

. Penquis Community Action Program received $32,000 to aid its many charitable endeavors.

. Shaw House, an overnight shelter for homeless teens, received $74,000.

United Way received donations from more than 14,000 individuals and corporations in 2002. It raised more than $2.65 million in the campaign.

Besides distributing funds to charitable organizations, United Way funds infoLine, a community and social services referral hot line at 1-800-204-2803; Camp Bangor; the Acts of Kindness initiative; Keeping Kids on Track, a community effort to better the future of adolescents; Volunteer Solutions, an online volunteer matching site; and a gifts-in-kind clearinghouse.

For more information on United Way, call 941-2800 or visit www.unitedwayem.org.