Group of volunteers to be honored with awards

BANGOR – A group of outstanding volunteers will be the honored guests at the annual 2 Those Who Care Awards to be presented at a ceremony Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the G. Peirce Webber Campus Center at Husson College.

The ceremony will be televised as a primetime special on WLBZ 2 at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. The 2 Those Who Care program was developed by WLBZ 2 in partnership with the United Way of Eastern Maine, and is sponsored by Merrill Bank and Webber Energy Fuels.

Hosted by NewsCenter anchors Matt Friedman and Donna Gormley, 2 Those Who Care will treat viewers to some truly exceptional people – men and women from throughout eastern Maine who unselfishly make a difference in the lives of others.

Wilma Additon Bradford of Bangor will be presented with the John W. Coombs Award, a volunteer recognition award of the United Way of Eastern Maine since 1984.

Island Connections will be honored with the Agency of Distinction Award.

Wilma Additon Bradford of Bangor, nominated by Liz Marrs for the John W. Coombs Award, has been involved for many years with Husson College. During a time of financial hardship at the institution, she served as chairwoman of numerous board committees and provided personal counsel to three presidents, playing a major role in turning the college around. Her concurrent leadership on the Eastern Maine Medical Center board of directors and the Westbrook College board of directors opened doors for Husson in nursing and expansions in Portland, respectively. Wilma is a champion for the entire Greater Bangor community, from the University of Maine, to the library, the hospitals and individual families in need. Wilma is described as having “force of character, forthright problem-solving skills, a critical mind and a kind heart.”

Also receiving awards are:

. Susan A. Carlisle of Bangor, nominated by Robert Ervin, was instrumental in the creation of the Maine Discovery Museum, previously known as the Eastern Maine Children’s Museum. She served as chairwoman of the initial capital campaign that raised more than $4,000,000, and she continues to serve on its board of directors.

. Kathy Crossman of Veazie, nominated by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Maine affiliate board of directors, has served in many capacities with the Komen Foundation Maine affiliate. She has served in several official positions on the board and currently serves as president. Fellow board members say she is “the strongest volunteer leader we have known.”

. Bernard “Bill” Miller of Bangor, nominated by Brenda St. Amand, is an extremely generous man. By serving the sick and needy, whether by serving meals at the Kiwanis soup kitchen or by providing much needed pharmaceuticals regardless of a customer’s ability to pay, he has followed the Jewish tradition of “mitzvoth” – the doing of good deeds.

. Gary Page of Old Town, nominated by National MS Society, Maine Chapter, has been a volunteer for the National MS Society for seven years, logging nearly 3,500 hours of service. He teaches other individuals affected by MS how to advocate for themselves. He assists with fundraising, education, advocacy, and all activities that drive and strengthen the MS Society’s ability to serve its clientele.

. Kathy Ann Bryant of Northport, nominated by Marie E. Sherwood, founded Wings of Love, a charitable organization that provided 980 children from 380 needy families with Christmas gifts in 2005. Created only 10 weeks before Christmas, Kathy helped to mobilize many caring volunteers, all while recovering from a second incident of breast cancer during that time.

. Island Connections will receive the Agency of Distinction Award. The organization provides free services to the elderly and people with disabilities on Mt. Desert Island and the surrounding offshore islands that enable them to live independently and with a strong quality of life. During the past year, volunteers have provided 3,700 rides for 190 men and women, 759 meal deliveries in collaboration with Meals for ME, and many social activities to keep people involved with the community.