A Lifetime of Giving
Irvin Foster's first donation to Sweetser arrived in the mail in 1953. Since that time, this 83-year-old friend has never missed a year of giving to the organization. Not one.
"Sweetser has always had a good reputation, and I have a soft spot to help young people in need," said Foster. "When I received that first appeal in the mail, I knew it was the right place to give to."
Growing up in Aroostook County as an orphan, and having two sisters who were adopted by the Home for Little Wanderers, Foster holds a strong appreciation for the work of Sweetser. His generous gifts have helped to sustain this work for more than half a century.
Even geographical distance did not diminish Foster's benevolence toward Sweetser. In 1980, he and his wife, Rosamond, moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Still, the Fosters continue to believe in Sweetser's work and financially support our organization each year.
Development Director Todd Henry describes the impact of Foster's support, "We are accustomed to recognizing donors for the size of their gifts to Sweetser, but just as important -- if not more so -- are those who give consistently to our annual fund. These donors provide the foundation for our efforts, year in and year out. And no one has given more consistently than Irvin Foster."
In the fall of 2007, Foster was elected to the Cornelius Sweetser Heritage Society in recognition of his extraordinary commitment to the organzation.
Thank you, Irvin Foster, for your 54 years of annual giving to Sweetser.
Irvin 'Cut' Foster with his great-granddaughter, Taryn Lyons, above.
Giving Back to the Community
Ira and Judy Rosenberg’s first gift to Sweetser helped build the new barn on the Saco campus after a fire destroyed the original in the summer of 2004. They immediately pledged $15,000 and challenged other businesses to contribute.
"We had been planning to support Sweetser before the fire," said Ira. "When we moved to Maine, we checked out all of the charities and Sweetser was one of our favorites. It’s all about helping the kids. Sweetser has been doing it for a long time, helping so many families in need."
One of Ira’s most gratifying moments was when a woman came to his Prime Toyota dealership in Saco and bought a car on the spot. She thanked him for his support of Sweetser and said she was a longtime employee of the organization. She also happened to be a graduate of The School at Sweetser. Ira was touched.
"Where would the kids be if Sweetser was not there for them?" asked Ira. "They could be out on the streets, lost, with no place to go. The people at Sweetser help fill the gap, helping these kids and families cope with life’s many challenges."
"We commend the employees at Sweetser who work tirelessly for the good of people -- they certainly don’t do it for the money," Judy added.
The Rosenbergs are active sponsors of the annual Sweetser/Prime Motor Group Golf Classic, an event held each June that raises more than $50,000 to support children and families. In addition, they have contributed to countless local organizations including the Dyer Library, Saco Museum, Young School Library, the Saco Fire Department, Saco Spirit, Counseling Services, Inc., and Southern Maine Medical Center. In Massachusetts, where Ira and Judy grew up and built a successful auto dealership, they continue to be significant donors to Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Sweetser is grateful to Ira and Judy for supporting our vision of helping people find promising futures.
Judy and Ira Rosenberg, philanthropists and owners of Prime Motor Group in Saco.
Don and Nancy Morse wanted to do something special for Maine people, especially children who are physically and mentally challenged. They decided to establish a charitable remainder trust to help fulfill their desire to benefit Sweetser, Maine Medical Center and Southern Maine Medical Center. Don has also contributed significantly to the University of New England.
The charitable trust allows the Morses to receive a generous income while they enjoy retirement, knowing full well their philanthropic wishes will carry on after they are gone.
"Local people supported me and my business, so this is a way we can support them in return," explains Don. Born and raised in Wells, Maine, Don was co-owner of A.M. Morse & Sons Lumber and Building Materials, a company that grew as a result of his unique relationships with local folks. Don's strong belief in personal service attracted him to Sweetser, because of the organization's commitment to personal service for children and families.
"We want to help make a difference in our own special way," says Nancy. A Maine native from Lubec, Nancy feels the same as her husband. Her experience as a junior high school teacher with a Master's degree from the University of Maine at Orono influenced her to establish two funds through the Maine Community Foundation to provide scholarships for high school seniors to pursue higher education, and support a variety of projects for people or communities in need.
Don and Nancy learned about Sweetser from former Sweetser Board President Sue Megathlin. "We didn't know much about Sweetser," recalls Nancy, "but we are pleased with the great work being done." Don adds, "Sweetser has a great legacy and now we are part of it."
Don and Nancy Morse are pictured together above.
For several years, David and Marjorie Tourangeau have sought an opportunity to invest in Sweetser's future. The couple wanted to provide more than a financial gift; they wanted to leave a legacy that would significantly benefit Sweetser's clients for generations to come. The Tourangeaus have found a way to not only support Sweetser, but to strengthen their own financial position by establishing a Sweetser Gift Annuity. In return for their generous gift, the Tourangeaus will receive fixed payments for the rest of their lives. They will also receive a charitable deduction and some tax benefits.
As a Board member and the chair of Sweetser's Development Committee David pursued the creation of a Gift Annuity Program. "Many respected institutions offer gift annuities," he explains. "Friends of Sweetser deserve the benefits that a program like this can provide."
"Sweetser has been around for 175 years," David explains. "It is financially strong and well endowed. Before an individual can make this type of gift, there needs to be confidence in the organization's ability to manage assets well. Sweetser has my full confidence. Sweetser means security."
David, now retired from UnumProvident, has been active in helping Sweetser grow. Originally a trustee for the Maine Home for Boys, a Sweetser precursor, he was present during the creation of Sweetser Children's Services in the mid-1980s. Since then, he has also served on Sweetser's Investment and Finance committees.
"Gift Annuities have a good rate of return, comparable to other investments and savings," he says. "In fact, there are some great tax benefits as well. In addition, it's nice to know I'll always be a part of Sweetser. I'll receive an income for the rest of my life and can take pride in my efforts to help people find promising futures."
David Tourangeau is pictured above with Todd Henry, Sweetser's director of development.
For many years, long-time Camden resident Jack Williams considered donating his 80-acre parcel of land in Searsmont, Maine, to a reputable charitable organization. The land he had purchased in 1969 had appreciated in value over the years and he wanted to see it put to good use.
One day while driving through the town of Belfast, Mr. Williams noticed a Sweetser sign next to the Hutchinson Center and MBNA along Route 3. He drove down Sweetser Lane and was impressed with Sweetser’s growing Belfast campus. “I didn’t realize all the things Sweetser was doing in my own back yard,” said Mr. Williams. “I used to donate years ago to Sweetser, but seeing the campus near my home inspired me do something more.
Mr. Williams donated the 80 acres of land to Sweetser.
No stranger to community service, Mr. Williams is well known in the area for his devoted support of the Camden Snow Bowl. He helped spearhead a successful fundraising effort to raise $100,000 to rebuild the popular Camden toboggan chute. Mr. Williams even has a ski trail named after him on the mountain, in recognition of his many years of volunteerism. The retired founder of Knox Semiconductor continues to find time to ski regularly and enjoy the company of his three adult children and six grandchildren, who still live in the area.
As a result of Mr. Williams generosity, “The Williams Woods” will provide future outdoor recreational opportunities for Sweetser staff and children. Says Sweetser President & CEO Carlton Pendleton, “We are grateful to Jack for his thoughtful gift. This property will be a great resource for Sweetser as we continue to expand services in the Camden, Rockland and Belfast communities.”
Jack Williams is pictured above with Todd Henry, Sweetser’s director of development.
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Creating a Gift for the Future
Leaving a Legacy
A Gift of Land
