RSU 1’s first ‘Set for Success’ greets more than 600 families who came to get school supplies

The first RSU 1 Set for Success event, organized by Midcoast Community Alliance, was indeed a huge success. More than 600 families in the RSU 1 district (which includes schools from Bath, Woolwich, and Phippsburg) attended the event on Sunday, Aug. 19, where kids could “shop” for brand new backpacks and school supplies, and their parents could browse the “Information Highway” for valuable community information.

Haircuts were also the order of the day, with five energetic stylists transforming more than 100 summer muppets into tidy students, in a blaze of nonstop buzzing, cutting, and drying. Families browsed a clothing area, where gently worn shoes and clothing found new owners.

“Joy is the word for the day,” said organizer and Midcoast Community Alliance founder Jamie Dorr. “There were just so many happy families, and it was the festive, community event we’d hoped it would be. Families from all corners of RSU1 attended, and it was really fun.”

Organized over a six-month period by Dorr and a core group of five volunteers, the event is part of MCA’s ongoing “YOU MATTER” work, bringing all families into the fold of the RSU1 community by starting the new school year on the same playing field.

“’No stigma’ is the other buzz phrase that comes to mind,” Bath’s Chief of Police Mike Field offered. “There were all kinds of families attending, and the unlimited smiles were really gratifying.” Field organized the “Information Highway,” which presented two rows of tables,  laden with info from 26 organizations about school groups and activities, food programs, mental health information and other topics.

Molly Tinker, an RSU1 parent, said, “It was amazing, such positive energy! My 5-year-old is all set for kindergarten and we had a great talk about what ‘community’ means.”

Nearly $30,000 was raised from caring community members and from sponsorships by organizations such as Midcoast Hospital, Big Al’s Super Values, Walmart, the Cosmopolitan Club, the Davenport Trust Fund, and United Way of Midcoast Maine. Fundraisers were made possible by businesses such as Five Guys, Shaw’s, Hannaford, Now You’re Cooking, Reny’s and Meadowbrook Campground.

For Dorr, the hardest part of the day was turning folks from other school districts away. “We need to grow our Set for Success team so we can make this event bigger and better in the years to come,” she said.

Homeschoolers living in the district were welcomed at the event.

For information, contact Jamie Dorr at 443-6856 

Thank You to Our 2018 Sponsors!

Passion Sponsors: Davenport Trust Fund & Cosmopolitan Club

Integrity & Commitment Sponsors:

2018 Total: $27,466.32

2018 Fundraising Goal: $30,000

Perseverance Sponsors:
Burgess Technology Employees
Bath Elks Lodge #934
Bath Optometric Associates, PC
Bath Police Department
First Federal Savings & Loan
Georgetown Education Fund
Laurel Walsh & Justin Schuetz
Meadowbrook Camping Area
Sweetser
Wal-Mart

Courage Sponsors:
Bath Savings Institution
Bath Sunrise Rotary
Carl M.P. Larrabee Agency, Inc.
Colby & Mark K Kavanagh
DaySpring Integrative Wellness
Derecktor Robinhood
Joanne Chick
The Mustard Seed Bookstore LLC
Wilson's Drug Store
Bath United Methodist Church
Lois Skillings

Kindness Sponsors:
Employees of Bath Savings Institution
Just Framing
Life Source Ministries
Martha Fehsenfeld
Ann & Eric London
Caroline Hubbard
David Matero Architecture LLC
James Peavey
Noble King - (Donation)
Pamela Cox
Phylis Baily
Rev. Gordon White
Ridin' Steel - Stephen Marois
Walton Wheeler III

Donations:
Amy Bennett
Anonymous
Dr & Mrs Edward Lovely
Grace Episcopal Church
Sureta Escobar
Roger & Suzannah Heard
Ellen Browning
Judith Smart
Mary Swain
First Baptist Church
Jane Wright
Margaret & John Beaven
St. Mary's Church

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