Machias Savings Bank Helps to Build Community Health Services

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Wednesday, February 28, 2018 - 10:31am
L to R: Shoshona Smith, Healthy Acadia Development Coordinator; Bobbi-Jo Thornton, Vice President, Business Banking and Healthy Acadia Board Treasurer; and Vincent Messer, Healthy Acadia Board Member. (Photo by Tracey Carlson)

Healthy Acadia is honored to announce a $10,000 donation from Machias Savings Bank to build and sustain critical community health services across Washington and Hancock counties. The gift will enable Healthy Acadia to strengthen services in and around eight towns served by Machias Savings Bank branches, including Baileyville, Bar Harbor, Calais, Columbia, Danforth, Ellsworth, Machias, and Princeton.   

Healthy Acadia’s vision is that Hancock and Washington counties are home to diverse, vibrant communities where healthful resources are available and people work together for the common good.                                            

 “Our goals align with Machias Savings Bank’s community giving priorities around health and wellness as well as some economic priorities,” shared Shoshona Smith, Healthy Acadia’s Development Coordinator. “We know that community members supported by a system of community health resources are less burdened by health care costs, which means that they are more able to join and strengthen the workforce and help their communities move up the economic ladder.” 

 Work in the eight communities to benefit from Machias Savings Bank’s donation to Healthy Acadia will build on community health needs in each area. Program focuses include substance prevention and treatment access, Tai Chi, cancer patient navigation, youth engagement, access to physical activity, early childhood development, diabetes prevention, and healthy food access. 

Machias Savings Bank’s generosity will make a big difference in our communities. According to the American Public Health Association, every dollar spent on prevention saves $5.60 in health spending. Machias Savings Bank’s donation will be used primarily for prevention services, including examples such as those shared above. This support will create a significant reduction in costly and burdensome health challenges, and it will help all people thrive and achieve their potential.  

To learn more about Machias Savings Bank’s work in the community, visit https://www.machiassavings.bank. To learn more about Healthy Acadia, visit www.healthyacadia.org.

 For more information or to volunteer or donate, contact Shoshona at 667-7171 or Shoshona@HealthyAcadia.org.