CHARLOTTE WHITE CENTER RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT THROUGH

THE TD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Camden, ME.   Many non profit organizations are feeling the effects of the economic downturn and facing the difficult decisions of whether to reduce program offerings, staff or other operations.   Many realize that if they had a more robust endowment when the economy turns sour, they would have greater financial stability to ride out the storm.

TD Banknorth, through the TD Charitable Foundation, is supporting Charlotte White Center’s (CWC) staff in participating in philanthropy training offered by Planning for Good. The workshops to be led by Sr. Consultant, Sarah Ruef-Lindquist, JD, CTFA will help participants gain the tools to build their endowment to improve their ability to continue to provide programs in the future.

Erica Kimball, Development Director for the Charlotte White Center noted, “With Sarah’s training and support, I am sure that we can create a sound philanthropic plan for the Charlotte White Center that will enable us to serve those who need our support for years to come. Without TDBanknorth’s financial support, reaching our goals would be even more challenging, and we want to thank them for their help.”

The Charlotte White Center, which serves adults and children with cognitive and intellectual disabilities and behavioral health challenges, provides support services in Piscataquis, Penobscot, Hancock, Washington, Franklin, Somerset, and Waldo Counties, with administrative offices based in Dover-Foxcroft. The mission of the Charlotte White Center is to respect and value ALL people and empower them to be their best. CWC has been doing that for thirty years; this will enable them to continue to honor that mission.

Planning for Good, a Maine-based firm out of Camden offers education, training and support to non-profit organizations seeking to build their endowments through planned gifts. In 2009, Planning for Good is offering a series of Workshops designed to support organizations beginning or continuing to develop their planned giving efforts.  The grant from the TD Charitable Foundation will cover the cost of staff member Erica Kimball attending all five workshops.

The workshops Ms. Kimball will be attending are designed for development and executive staff as well as board members as an opportunity to learn practical tips for designing and implementing policies and procedures to optimize planned giving to support building endowment and organizational sustainability.

For more information about the Charlotte White Center and its philanthropic plans, please contact Erica Kimball at (207) 947-1410 ext. 122 or via email at ekimball@charlottewhite.org.

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates under the trade names TD Banknorth and TD Bank and is one of the 20 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation’s mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Banknorth and TD Bank operate, having made over $44.6 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The efforts of the Foundation are coordinated locally through TD Banknorth and TD Bank’s community relations departments and are focused on the areas of economic empowerment, youth development and community support. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation including an online grant application is available at www.TDBanknorth.com or at www.TDBank.com.

           One of America’s most unique folksingers and backcountry travelers, Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, on tour from the mountains of Montana, will bring his powerful multi-media show, Forever Wild, to the  Belgrade Community Center for All Seasons, 1 Center Drive in Belgrade, on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m.   The mix of stunning photography, stories, and music make this one-of-a-kind concert an inspiring journey into our nation’s last wilderness areas. 
           Walkin’ Jim gets his name from nearly 27,000 miles he has walked through the wild country of North America.  Carrying a guitar and writing his songs along the way, his lyrics express a great love and respect for the Earth and the wild places he knows so well.  Known for his powerful baritone and emotion-packed vocals, Stoltz’s Forever Wild show is much more than a concert. It combines live music and poetry with stunning, multi-image slides to create a stirring celebration of the natural world.  Stoltz is veteran of more than 30 years of performing.  In this show he will be sharing images and songs from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, his Yellowstone to Yukon walk, the Utah canyon country, the Northern Rockies, and wild places all across America.
                Walkin’ Jim has toured extensively throughout the U.S. for the past 23 years. In 2006 he organized a 45 state outreach tour with other musicians and authors, and worked with hundreds of community organizations to gain support for clean water, roadless lands, and wildlife. Jim has been presented with the Environmental Protection Agency’s, Outstanding Achievement Award for his sharing of nature and wilderness across America.  Stoltz will have copies of his recent book “Walking With the Wild Wind” to sign at the event.  His songs from 9 different cds get regular airplay on National Public Radio and will also be available.   Visit his website at www.walkinjim.com.
                 Tickets for the concert will be available at the BRCA office or at the door for $10.   This event is sponsored by the Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance and will benefit the Kennebec Highlands Phase III campaign.  For more information contact Mary at BRCA 495-6039 or brca@gwi.net, or visit www.belgradelakes.org