Paying It Forward... 

               Pay It Forward, empowers the families we support to give
               back to their community.

               First, a concerned member of the community, such as you
               or your company, donates money to the fund, which can then be
               used to pay for an item or service for a family in need.  In
               discouraging economic times, we know that many Maine
               families live on the edge of disaster, and, all too often, one
               lost paycheck or one hospital bill is all it takes to bring a
               family to its knees.  In the past, money from Pay It Forward  
               has paid for the following:

• Car repairs to provide reliable transportation so a child could be seen weekly for necessary doctor appointments;
  
  
• Heating oil to keep a family warm in the winter;
  
  
• Babysitting services for a family whose caregiver became too ill to tend her children.

               These are but a few instances showing how the program has
               been used to solve practical, immediate problems that impact                families directly.

               Then, the program becomes almost magical.  When the families
               accept the money, they discuss with a F.A.C.T. staff member
               what they can offer to someone else in need.  For instance, the
               family getting its car repaired could assist a housebound older
               neighbor with weekly errands.  Likewise, the family who
               received a babysitter when mom was ill might then knit mittens
               or hats for needy children.  People receiving money reach out to
               others in their community.  They do not pay back, but they pay
               forward.  Pay It Forward reminds us that we all have something
               to offer and no matter our circumstances, we can make our
               community a better place to live.

               We’d like you to take a moment to consider how you can help
               Pay It Forward and the difference you can make to people in
               our community.  If you choose, you may donate by clicking
               the link below. Thank you!