Sweetser News & Events

Sweetser Announces Fourth Annual Pendleton Award Winners

Posted on 10/17/2006 at 12:00 am

Champions of behavioral healthcare in Maine were honored October 5 in Saco with the fourth annual Pendleton Awards. Named for the late Irene and Carlton Pendleton, the awards were presented at the annual meeting for Sweetser.

Awards were given for three categories: public policy, community service, and community partner. Accompanying the award was a gift of $500 to the recipient’s charity of choice.

Irene and Carlton Pendleton were long-time residents of Saco and committed to community service, children and family. The Pendletons raised three children, each of whom went on to pursue careers in public service and education. Eslie Parquette was a school teacher for many years and is now the Director of Educational Services for Sweetser. Carl Pendleton was a teacher, principal, and now serves as the President & CEO of Sweetser. Craig Pendleton is the Coordinating Director of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance and a lifelong commercial fisherman.

Receiving the award for public policy was Representative Hannah Pingree of North Haven. Representative Pingree was cited for championing causes of great importance to Maine citizens including affordable prescription drugs, filling the gaps in the Medicare Part D drug program, funding for mental health and substance abuse services, and removing toxins from our environment.

The award for community service was given to Judge Joseph Field. Judge Field was recognized for his collaborative, community-based approach to the clients who come before him. A graduate of Harvard College and the University of Maine School of Law, Judge Field has served as a Maine District Court Judge in the Bath-Brunswick area for sixteen years. His “drug court” has been instrumental in connecting people with the recovery programs they desperately need. Judge Field has worked with Mid Coast Hospital and Sweetser to establish ties with the Addiction Resources Center and Sweetser’s case management program in Brunswick. His “family court” efforts has resulted in the establishment of a “beyond abuse” program targeted to former abusers who access outpatient group therapy at Sweetser’s Brunswick offices.

The community partner award was given to Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. Like Sweetser, Saco & Biddeford Savings was founded in the early 1800s and the two organizations have maintained close ties for more than 175 years. Thanks to the generosity of Saco & Biddeford Savings and their commitment to enriching the lives of children and families, they have contributed to many programs at Sweetser including the Golf Auction Masquerade, the Learning Arts Fair, the rebuilding of the barn on the farm of The School at Sweetser in Saco after it was burnt in a fire, as well as making a significant contribution to the building of The School in 1990. In addition, in 2000, Saco & Biddeford Savings underwrote the development of a new computer lab at The School, finally giving students access to technology universally utilized by many in the 21st century.

Representative Pingree chose to donate her $500 gift to North Haven Sustainable Housing. Judge Field elected to award his gift to the Day One program affiliated with his court while Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution donated the money back to Sweetser.