United Way hails fund-raiser

BANGOR – At its annual meeting Oct. 14, United Way of Eastern Maine honored both retiring and new members of its board of directors. Special recognition was given to a retiring board member who brought energy, commitment and plenty of humor to the organization’s efforts.

Michael Shea, chairman of the board of directors, presented Judy Horan with the Board Chair’s Award, saying Horan is “someone who has never minded being singled out.”

Horan, who is the CEO and general manager of local television station WLBZ 2, brought her extensive knowledge of mass media to the table and was able to show her fellow board members new and effective marketing strategies.

During the year she chaired United Way of Eastern Maine’s annual campaign, funds increased by 10 percent, Shea said.

Horan also knew how to keep the board motivated and creative.

“If the pace of our work was too slow, Judy could always manage to get us to focus on what was important,” Shea said. “On one memorable board retreat, she jump-started our strategic planning efforts by literally drop-kicking the old plan out of the room.”

For the past few years, WLBZ 2 has produced United Way’s fund-raising campaign video and public service announcements, and also has hosted campaign kickoff and finale events. The station also has partnered with United Way to recognize volunteers through the 2 Those Who Care Awards.

While Horan will no longer be serving on the board of directors, she will continue her work with United Way as a member of its endowment committee and will continue to distinguish volunteers through the 2 Those Who Care Awards.

“We know that she’ll always be there, prompting us to move faster, to be consistent in our messages, and to have some fun along the way,” Shea said.

“It never felt like I was giving that much to United Way,” Horan said.

“Belonging to this organization goes to the heart of what living in eastern Maine is – it is about participating in the life of this large community. United Way was the best way for me to belong and participate in the community I have come to respect and appreciate as my own. That feeling of giving ties me to United Way – and to my community – in ways that will outlive my time on the board,” Horan said.

Other departing board members who were honored at the meeting for their service were Lisa Bird, Angela Butler, Chip Hutchins and John Bragg.

New members who were welcomed to the board were Deb Sanford, patient care administrator at Eastern Maine Medical Center; Jeff Smith, president of United Kingfield Bank; Ken Hews, executive vice president at Eastern Maine Healthcare; and Kassie Stevens Walker, director of major gifts for the Maine Center for the Arts.