BANGOR, Maine — Mainers from the Greater Bangor community stepped up to the plate Friday to help kick off the Heart of Maine United Way's annual fundraising campaign.
The goal is to raise 1.7 million dollars to help thousands of people in need.
As part of this year's baseball-themed event, local organizations and businesses gathered in Mansfield Stadium in Bangor to support the cause.
"We do this so we can help one in three people in our six-county service area, and the need is great and every little dollar that we raise adds up," Shirar Patterson, the president and CEO of Heart of Maine United Way, said.
The organization supports dozens of programs in eastern and central Maine that work to provide basic needs, help those facing substance use disorder, and improve early childhood development.
However, that support doesn't come without the help of the community.
"They're in the corner of people who need us to provide support for programs that so many people rely on throughout the heart of Maine," Patterson said.
Right at the heart of Maine are local businesses that participate in the organization's annual "CANsruction" contest, where teams build sculptures out of cans which are later donated to local food banks.
"We all know our food pantries are struggling right now, we see it all the time, the cost of goods and groceries are going up," Eric Strout, the store manager of Hannaford Supermarkets on Union Street in Bangor, said. "We hear about that but we're taking part in giving back to people who are going to put it to great us."
The supermarket works with the Heart of Maine United Way helping to fund the organization's programs and also donating food.
"We’re focused on the community, we're focused on caring, and that's what United Way instills in all of us in the community," Strout said.
Everyone working hand in hand, hoping to hit a grand slam that will help the lives of many.
"It's community, and that's really what the Heart of Maine United Way is about, bringing communities together, and this is an excellent example of what they do," Lisa Williams, the clinical director of Wellspring, said.
Proceeds from the campaign will go toward supporting individuals and families across eastern and central Maine.
You can donate to Heart of Maine United Way by visiting their website.