MaineBusiness.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2009

BRUNSWICK, MAINE, November 3, 2009- Downeast Energy & Building Supply announces employees have raised $61,556.04 in this year’s campaign to help the agencies served by the United Way.

Each office participated in the “Live United” drive:
• Brunswick/Lisbon offices raised a total of $42,083.40
• Windham office raised $2,560.50
• Kennebunk, York, Biddeford Offices raised $6,597.86
• Dover Office raised $1,050.10
• Hallowell raised $3,978.10
• Waterville raised $273.28
• South Portland/Yarmouth office raised $2,642.50
• Springvale raised $1,273.30
• Mt. Vernon raised $1,097.00

The annual “Live United” campaign for United Way reaps big bucks for the cause company wide, and employees have taken the awareness campaigns to new levels of creativity.

In Hallowell, the team led by Peggy Contreras had some fun. Cheryl Ortiz organized the Puffin adventure. He was taken hostage but quickly escaped. The team has been tracking the Puffin’s daily travels as he tours the area in search of his “purpose” in the Downeast family. The Puffin began his journey in jail but decided to turn his life around and was then photographed in New Hampshire headed for the Dover office to “Live Free or Die.” He was also spotted going into the United Way office to learn more about how to help with the campaign. His travels didn’t stop there; the Puffin explored Casco Bay and visited Monument Square in Portland to get a taste of “big city” life.

“I think the Puffin has started to realize that giving back and helping the community is all a part of the mission here at Downeast,” said Cheryl Ortiz, “and by giving he will become more a part of the family. The Puffin’s tour took on a life of its own as people started to have fun with our awareness campaign. It has been effective because people are participating in the Puffin’s capers and also helping to raise money for a good cause.”

In South Portland, inspiration, fun and food were on order to kick-off the United Way campaign. It all started with a morning stretch led by Mark Lodge. Rae Teixeira, the employee campaign manager, organized the event and helped provide a healthy spread of food and refreshments. Dale Petitto, Steve Leighton and Tim Kiely provided some lively entertainment.

All employees who attended the United Way meeting received a stainless travel mug, a gift which seemed to be a big hit.

Downeast Energy is matching the employees’ generosity with a $30,000 dollar corporate gift to the “Live United” campaign this year.

“Every year it just amazes me how enthusiastic and generous our employees are here at Downeast Energy and they deserve recognition,” said Jayne Atwood, Human Resources Assistant. “Every one of our employees should be proud to know that here at Downeast we are very generous and make a huge difference in our communities we serve!”

For Downeast Energy & Building Supplies, contact:
Angie Helton, Northeast Media Associates
(207) 653-0365
nema@maine.rr.com

About Downeast Energy & Building Supply

Downeast Energy and Building Supply operates 13 offices in southern and central Maine and Dover, NH, and a building supply store and lumber yard in Brunswick, Maine. For more information, please visit www.downeastenergy.com.