In Ellsworth, community support isn’t just a concept—it’s a tradition. For the sixth year running, a dedicated coalition of local businesses fueled the Ellsworth School Department’s March Professional Development Day with a full lunch spread for the entire staff. But this year, these community partners took their gratitude a step further, honoring all of our end-of-year retirees with a massive send-off that truly shows what our educators mean to this town.
Nine local businesses in total all joined forces this year to present our staff with another beautiful lunch spread of Pat’s Pizza and fresh dessert, but they took their appreciation to another level this time around. To celebrate seven of our outgoing teachers who are retiring after tremendous careers this coming summer, our group of local heroes helped gather donations and presented each staff member with a gift basket – totalling about $1,100 of goods in each basket!
"In my job and a lot of people in the corporate world, we get to operate a little bit differently. Like, we could go out for lunch on business meetings and things like that. When you work at the school, those things just don't happen. You're in the classroom. You're working. You might not even get a break to go to the bathroom when you want to,” says Jack Frost, V.P. and Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “Those gift baskets have outpaced what we envisioned they might be. I think it’s something where we all should be taking more time to show appreciation. Really, you know, who's having any bigger effect on our youth in the community than our teachers and staff with the schools?"
What began in 2021 as a simple question of how to help during a difficult time has snowballed into a major community movement. The "Core Four" sponsors—Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, NAPA Coastal Auto Parts, Stanley Subaru, and Jordan Fernald Funeral Homes—remain the engine of the event, but their enthusiasm has proven contagious. As the list of contributors grows each year, it "fuels the fire" for others to join in, turning a small gesture of thanks into a district-wide celebration of service.
While the foundation of this tradition was built by the 'Core Four'—with long-standing support from Pat’s Pizza, Governor’s, Sargent Real Estate, Micki Sumpter, and The Bud Connection—the spirit of giving truly snowballed this year. That list of contributors surged to over 18 local businesses and community partners, all eager to chip in for the retiree baskets. It’s a testament to the original sponsors’ enthusiasm; their annual commitment has proven contagious, inspiring storefronts across the city to join the mission of honoring our educators.
“The outpouring of support has been very positive. If the gift baskets hadn’t been even half of what they are, I still would have been thrilled. It does sort of let people know, ‘Wow, this is something where a lot of people feel the same way.’ They want to be a part of it,” Frost says.
“Most of us that are on this small committee, we know - being very community minded- that this is just a small gesture that we can easily do. All of these businesses do so much in the community, but this is a unique thing - we know about this in-service day that happens consistently in March, and we’re like ‘We want to do it again this year, 100 percent. We’re doing it again.’”
The Bud Connection, JKS Law, Hammond Lumber, Provender Kitchen & Bar, Black Moon Public House, Zeppa’s, MoMo’s Cheesecake, Hannaford, STAR 97.7, Aroma Joe’s, Acadia 876 Bar & Grill, The Grand, FlexIt Cafe, the Downeast Family YMCA, Danny’s Pizza, Riverside Cafe, and Chloe’s Cafe all joined with the original four sponsors for the baskets – providing a wide array of gifts for our teachers!
On Friday, we recognized Rebecca Maddocks-Wilbur, Mary Martel, Sheryl Pinkham, Brian Smith, Dee Goodman, Bob Ellis, and Diane Cyr for outstanding careers with Ellsworth Schools, and we can’t wait to keep the train rolling next year!
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community partners. Each year, their efforts to recognize and celebrate our staff bring a sense of positivity and appreciation across the district. These gestures, while they may seem small to an outsider, have a very meaningful impact on our educators and staff,” says Assistant Superintendent Nicole Chan. “This year, we were especially touched by the added effort to honor our retirees with thoughtful gift baskets. It was a wonderful way to recognize their years of dedication and service. On behalf of the entire school department, we are deeply thankful for this generosity and the continued support of our community!”
It was truly a special moment at our March PD Day – one with tons of smiles, applause, and afterwards, yes - pizza! While our HCTC staff was busy (crushing it) at SkillsUSA on Friday, our community partners made sure to include them by bringing them their own lunch and dessert this week!
We are so thankful for our community members who support our students, staff, and school family the way they do – it’s what makes Ellsworth so special, and we wouldn’t be the same without it!