Tobacco funds to benefit Piscataquis County health programs

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Tobacco settlement funds will help four projects in Piscataquis County that promote healthful lifestyle choices.

A total of $8,000 in minigrants was awarded to American Legion Post 41 of Milo, Maine Audubon Society, SAD 41 Wellness Committee, and Mayo Regional Hospital Emergency Department.

The one-time minigrants support projects that promote healthful lifestyle choices by helping people quit using tobacco, eat more healthful food or get physically active, according to Robin Mayo, a nurse and director of Community Partnership for the Piscataquis Public Health Council.

The council is one of 31 local Healthy Maine Partnerships that work on tobacco prevention and control and physical activity and nutrition, using tobacco settlement funds provided through the Fund for a Healthy Maine.

The minigrants are awarded to applicants that can show sustainable change. They are available to almost any type of community group, club, association, town, small business, church and local program that serves low-income people. Additional minigrant awards will be made, with deadlines set for Feb. 15 and April 15. Grant applications can be obtained by contacting Mayo at 564-4344.

The most recently funded projects include $4,000 for repair and expansion of the community basketball court in Milo, a project of American Legion Post 41. The project will restore the court by grading, repaving and fencing the area. Once that work is completed, the American Legion intends to raise additional funds to expand the area to include a sand volleyball court, a walking trail with outdoor exercise equipment, a picnic area and parking.

Maine Audubon, owner of Borestone Mountain in Elliotsville Township, received $2,500 for repairs and safety improvements to Summit and Base trails. The minigrant will be used as local matching funds to qualify for a $30,000 grant from the Recreational Trails Program of the Maine Department of Conservation.

The SAD 41 Wellness Committee of Milo received $1,000 to form a weekly weight-loss support group. The program will be free and open to residents in SAD 41. The funds will be used to purchase scales, weight-loss logs and cookbooks.

Mayo Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department received $500 to provide “Flupacks” for emergency room patients with upper respiratory infections. The project will provide resources and education to help patients in need of a lifestyle change to improve their health status. “Flupacks” would contain information to help patients quit smoking, educational materials to assist with nutritional choices and exercise, and materials to treat flu symptoms.