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Combating violence and sexual assault

Gov. John E. Baldacci on Aug. 8 recognized the leadership of Wal-Mart officials and employees in Maine for work to help the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Recently, 11 Wal-Mart stores in northern and eastern Maine began printing phone numbers to Maine’s crisis hot lines for domestic violence and sexual assault on their sales receipts.

“Wal-Mart is setting a great example, doing their part to get information out to the public about the resources that exist in Maine to help those who are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Baldacci. “Help for victims is only a phone call away, and each week these Wal-Mart stores are printing off almost 350,000 receipts with this valuable information. All of this is designed to get victims the information that will help them get the help they need and break the cycle of violence.”

Participants in the ceremony included Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan; Wal-Mart officials and employees; Nicky Blanchard, Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence; Sarah Stewart, Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

The governor recognized Don Emmons, community involvement coordinator for Wal-Mart’s Brewer store.

“Don, who also sits with on the state’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse, chaired by Commissioner Anne Jordan, came up with this idea to add the phone numbers to the receipts, and I want to thank him and Wal-Mart for taking on this important safety issue,” said the governor.

The Wal-Mart receipts give the numbers for Sexual Assault Support, 800-871-7741, and the Domestic Violence Hotline. 866-834-HELP.

Helping the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

BANGOR – Although there is research in blood-related cancers, a cure is yet to be found. But a Bangor business is helping to make sure research progresses towards a cure.

Burlington Coat Factory in Bangor is joining the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in a companywide initiative to help raise money for the organization that promotes blood cancer research and awareness.

The initiative will encourage area shoppers through Nov. 28 to purchase a balloon icon to support the cause, said Amy Shepherd, store manager at 229 Springer Drive. In addition, employees and the public are invited to join the Burlington Coat Factory team in a local Light the Night walk.

“This is a cause that we are all very excited about here at the Bangor location. With this initiative, we have the opportunity to make a difference in so many people’s lives,” Shepherd said. “The money we help to raise will support the work of hundreds of researchers in their search for better therapies and cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.”

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk raises money to support cutting-edge research and innovative programs that improve the quality of life of patients and their families, Shepherd said.

Burlington Coat Factory has been the No. 1 National Partner for four years for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and was the first partner to raise $1 million for Light the Night.

“It is our intention to do the best we can here at the Bangor location to continue the support that our company has shown toward the organization that has been making years of a difference to families nationwide,” Shepherd added.

The balloon icons for the society cost a minimum of $1, but customers may donate more.

Business development officer

PITTSFIELD – Judith A. Young of Stetson has joined Merrill Bank as assistant vice president-business development officer at 109 Main St.

With more than 22 years of experience in the banking industry at KeyBank in Newport, Young most recently was small-business relationship manager doing commercial lending in the Newport, Guilford, Skowhegan and Waterville areas.

She started with KeyBank in the Corinna office in 1986 as a teller and later was promoted to branch manager. She transferred to the Newport office in 1989 as branch manager.

Young graduated with honors from the New England School of Banking at Williams College in 1994, is licensed in life and health insurance and holds a Securities Series 6-63 license. She is a volunteer with the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce, a Boy Scout merit badge councilor and past volunteer and walk coordinator for the March of Dimes.

Best Places to Work in Maine

The Society for Human Resource Management’s Maine State Council in Augusta has announced 26 companies named in the third annual “Best Places to Work in Maine” program.

The event, presented in conjunction with the Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the Maine Department of Labor, Employment Times and Mainebiz, recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments.

The 26 companies, listed alphabetically with location of primary office, are:

. Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice, Lewiston.

. Baker Newman Noyes, Portland.

. Bangor Savings Bank, Bangor.

. Berry Talbot Royer, Falmouth.

. Cintas Corp., Westbrook.

. Consigli Construction Co., Inc., Portland.

. Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, Brewer.

. Edward Jones, Louisville, Ken.

. GreenPages Technology Solutions, Kittery.

. Jotul North America, Inc., Gorham.

. Kennebunk Savings Bank, Kennebunk.

. Machias Savings Bank, Machias.

. Manpower, Auburn.

. MEMIC, Portland.

. Mountain Ltd., New Gloucester.

. Norway Savings Bank, Norway.

. Oxford Networks, Lewiston.

. Patrons Oxford Insurance Company, Auburn.

. Pierce Atwood LLP, Portland.

. Pioneer Telephone, Portland.

. PowerPay LLC, Portland.

. SMRT, Portland.

. T-Mobile USA Inc., Oakland.

. Tom’s of Maine, Kennebunk.

. Tyler Technologies Inc., Falmouth.

. Unum, Portland.

The assessment process, administered by the Best Companies Group, evaluated each company’s employee policies and procedures as well as responses from the company’s employees. The program marks the most recent step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence in all Maine companies.

The program also helps companies on a firsthand basis by presenting an Assessment Findings Report to each participating company, which provides significant benchmarks and helps that company maintain, enhance, improve or change policies and procedures in its workplace.

Top rankings will be announced at an awards banquet Oct. 14, at the Augusta Civic Center. Maine Gov. John E. Baldacci is scheduled to attend.

Further details about the “Best Places to Work in Maine” program may be found online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com.