Oh what fun we had at our Cookies and Cocktails Donor Appreciation Night & Annual Board Meeting at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. We had around 130 attendees, staff, and students from the school set up a table to sell student-made items.
Watch our recap video below…
The night also served as an annual board meeting where we inducted new corporators and board members to Sweetser, in addition to reappointments.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Daniel Puhlman – New Board Member, Chris Anania – New Corporator, Zach Blanchard – New Corporator, & Jessica Demers, Chair, Board of Directors.
(Not pictured: Todd Valentine – Corporator, Robert Davis – Board Member)
New Corporators
- Chris Anania
- Zach Blanchard
- Todd Valentine
Reappointment of Directors
- Anna Marie DiPasquale – 3-year term
- Diane Donaldson – 3-year term
- James Nylund – 3-year term
- Margaret Shepp – 3-year term
- Jayne Van Bramer – 1 year term
New Directors
- Robert Davis
- Daniel Puhlman
We also awarded three Sweetser Star Awards to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to help Sweetser’s mission.
The first award of the night went to Senator Henry Ingwersen as the Sweetser Star Legislative Champion!
Sen. Ingwersen was instrumental in advocating for and securing $2 million in initial funds to aid in the construction of Maine’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility. A project that Sweetser received the DHHS award for, to operate on our Saco campus, and we are working hard to fundraise to fulfill our commitment, as we speak. With his efforts, the HHS Committee was unanimous in its recommendation to include these funds in the budget before the full legislature signed off. His work doesn’t stop there. Sen. Ingwersen has introduced additional legislation for the upcoming January session to secure the last remaining funds needed for full construction to begin and to ensure this critical program will open for Maine’s most at-risk youth. We appreciate Senator Ingwersen for his advocacy and leadership in championing mental health and for his commitment to supporting Maine children in need.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, & Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette.
Central Maine Power received our Sweetser Star Corporate Partner award!
Sweetser relies on the generosity of corporate partners to ensure the mental health and substance use treatment we provide continues regardless of someone’s ability to cover the cost of care. Central Maine Power is a true partner in every sense of the word. The relationship we have forged centers around our longstanding history of serving the state of Maine and our shared commitment to lighting the way for Mainers most in need. The resources they help us raise directly fuel hope for Maine children and families in need of treatment. This is the power of shared purpose.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette, Jade Wu with Central Maine Power.
And the last award of the night was presented to the team at WMTW-TV Channel 8 with our first-ever Sweetser Star Media Partner in Hope award!
Reducing the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment and support is truly a team effort. It’s not something that can be done alone and certainly not without a strong media partner. WMTW Channel 8 demonstrates the importance of local TV news and the power of the visual medium in telling stories that make a difference in people’s lives. We have recently hit over 100 episodes of their weekly live Mental Health Moment segment! It’s quite an accomplishment to think of all the topics, experts, and resources we’ve been able to highlight together. WMTW Channel 8’s commitment to covering mental health goes beyond this segment though. It is demonstrated through their mental health television specials and even most recently in events that bring people together like their Spring into Hope Maine Fashion Show.
Pictured here from left to right: WMTW News Director Amy Beveridge, WMTW Anchor Meghan Torjussen, Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, & Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette.
WMTW also featured the event in their newscasts. You can watch their update here:
Beyond the tasty food and great company, we had a “Mistletoe Tester” photobooth set up. Check out the gallery to see all of the photos of the night:
Beyond the tasty food and great company, we had a “Mistletoe Tester” photobooth set up. Check out those photos below:
We’d like to thank our presenting sponsors, CGI Business Solutions and Maine Community Bank. This fabulous event would not be possible without CGI and Maine Community Bank’s support.
A big shout out to Sweetser’s Public Relations & Advancement team for their hard work organizing and executing this successful event!