Maine Sea Coast Mission

 Bar Harbor     Maine

http://www.seacoastmission.org/     << visit website

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Maine Sea Coast Mission Charity Profile

The Maine Sea Coast Mission provides spiritual, health, and youth development programs in coastal and island communities from mid-coast to Downeast Maine. Rooted in a history of non-denominational service, the Mission offers hope, encouragement and help to strengthen individuals, families and communities. Programs and services include: the Christmas Program; the EdGE, after-school and summer programs for youth in Washington County; emergency financial assistance, addressing immediate needs such as heat, electricity, and other emergency circumstances; food pantries; ministries to island and coastal communities, including partnerships with four island churches and a fisheries resource management policy consultant; scholarships; Sunbeam Island Health Services; and a thrift shop.

The Maine Sea Coast Mission was founded in 1905 by two brothers, who were also pastors, Angus and Alexander MacDonald. They took the first Mission boat, a sloop called Hope, to isolated island communities providing spiritual support where there were no churches, bringing books and learning opportunities, and always sharing in the spirit of giving and joy with Christmas surprises. The scope of the services provided by the Mission has grown considerably over the last 100 years, but the mission remains essentially the same.

Through the growth of Mission outreach and technological advances, the Mission now has more to do than ever. The Mission now serves isolated mainland areas where needs are great such as Washington County, a large coastal section of the state between Mount Desert Island and Canada, which has been left aside by the population and prosperity booms of other places. As the poorest county in Maine, there is a heavy load of unemployment, many closed or weak churches, a preponderance of elderly and unwell people, and a spirit of discouragement based on generations of poverty. The innovative Mission programs in Washington County minister to all of these factors. Technology allows for the Sunbeam V to do more than ever too. The Sunbeam Island Health Services uses a closed circuit television connection and advanced medical equipment to meet with doctors and specialists on the mainland for diagnosis and treatment.

Bar Harbor, Maine, has always been the Mission’s home base. The office is at 127 West Street and is known as the Mission House. The Mission House is home to all administrative offices as well as the Christmas Program.

Over 3,000 people in coastal and island communities receive gifts from the Mission. The Christmas Program director coordinates with local area agencies and churches to obtain the names of families in need. While children are especially remembered at this special time of year, parents, nursing home residents, shut-ins, and prisoners are not forgotten either. All of the presents donated and are brought to the Mission where they are wrapped by volunteers. Volunteers also deliver the presents each year.

Maine Sea Coast Mission Volunteer Information

Volunteer As a volunteer with Maine Sea Coast Mission, you will be making a meaningful contribution, sharing in the goals of our coastal communities and providing much needed assistance. Wrapping gifts, banging nails, or helping in the food pantries can be exciting and personally inspiring experiences, and you'll develop memories that will be with you forever.