Beneficiary History
Each year, TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, provides a cash donation of $30,000 to a different Maine charity as a way to support and benefit the state. The chosen organization also benefits from fundraising activities and opportunities and publicity through its association with one of Maine’s premiere sporting events. TD Bank has now donated $660,000 to Maine charities over the history of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race.
2022 Youth Beneficiary – The Cromwell Center for Disability Awareness
The Cromwell Center is the only provider of disabilities awareness, sensitivity, inclusion, and anti-bullying programs in Maine schools. In fact, they are the only organization in the U.S. that takes this hands-on, personalized, interactive, classroom-based approach to improving understanding, respect, and inclusion. So far, they have partnered with 220 Maine schools and 8,000 classrooms, and in the 2019 school year alone delivered face-to-face programming to 16,135 students in 92 schools.
The Cromwell Center’s programs include:
Respecting ABILITIES: A classroom-based program for grades 1-6 designed to build sensitivity and understanding, reduce bullying and create more inclusive schools and communities. This program is offered at no cost to Maine schools, and is delivered in person by a Cromwell Center program leader or through a curriculum kit that provides schools with:
- A comprehensive, detailed, scripted lesson plan for each grade
- All supplies and materials needed to carry out the activities
- Video book-readings and activities
- Books and posters for each school
- Follow-up activities and resources for families
- Resources and information for educators
Building Kinder Communities: A disabilities awareness and sensitivity training program for adults including parents/guardians and school staff. These interactive sessions help adults have positive conversations with kids about disabilities, model positive attitudes and language, and help children be more supportive and respectful.
To learn more about The Cromwell Center’s programs, visit www.cromwellcenter.org.
2020/2021 Youth Beneficiary – JMG
JMG is a nonprofit that partners with public education and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials, and pursue meaningful careers.
JMG programs are hosted within Maine’s public schools, and classes and year-round activities are led by JMG Specialists serving as mentors and educators. Specialists develop student-centered, personalized education plans delivered through a competency-based curriculum focusing on academic knowledge, career development skills, leadership, and teamwork.
To learn more about JMG’s programs, visit www.jmg.org.
2019 Youth Beneficiary – The Telling Room
Founded in 2004, The Telling Room is Maine’s only youth-focused literary arts organization, offering innovative, effective and often life-changing writing programs for more than 4,000 Maine kids each year. Their programs reach students from nearly 100 schools in 70 towns across the state annually, including those from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and all core programs are 100% free to students and their families.
The Telling Room has received regional and national recognition for its innovative work, including a prestigious National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award from the White House in 2015—the nation’s highest honor in their field—as one of the top 12 youth arts and humanities programs in the United States. To learn more about the Telling Room’s programs, visit www.tellingroom.org.
2018 Youth Beneficiary – WinterKids
WinterKids is a Maine nonprofit that teaches Maine children to move, learn and explore in the outdoors during winter. Since its founding in 1997, the organization has helped more than 100,000 Maine children to get outside and active with innovative outdoor education programs for preschools and elementary schools in Maine and New Hampshire.
WinterKids provides children, families, schools and communities with 40+ programs and events each year. This year marks the organization’s 20th anniversary of the WinterKids founding program, the WinterKids Passport, which has afforded thousands of Maine children the opportunity to learn to downhill and cross-country ski, ice skate, snow tube, and snowshoe at 50 participating winter sports partners across Maine. Other programs include Welcome to Winter Festival in Portland, WinterKids Challenge, WinterKids Winter Games, WinterKids FunPass and WinterKids Downhill 24.
WinterKids is guided by its mission to help children develop healthy lifelong habits through education and fun, outdoor winter activity. For more information, visit www.winterkids.org, or find WinterKids on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
2017 Youth Beneficiary – Let’s Go!
A program of The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center, Let’s Go! is focused on increasing physical activity and healthy eating for children from birth to age 18.
Let’s Go! collaborates with schools, child care and out-of-school programs, healthcare practices and community organizations in Maine and New Hampshire to reach children and their families wherever they live, learn, work, and play. Let’s Go! reaches more than 220,000 children, using the 5-2-1-0 healthy habits message – five or more fruits and vegetables, two hours or less of screen time, one hour or more of physical activity, and zero sugary drinks.
Interested in running the TDB2B on behalf of Let’s Go! and fundraising to help get kids moving? Please email Sarah Helming at SHelming@mmc.org . We hope you will run with us!
2016 Youth Beneficiary – My Place Teen Center
My Place Teen Center is a free, year-round, after-school youth development program for kids at-risk in Greater Portland.
My Place Teen Center is a Westbrook-based nonprofit organization that each year serves approximately 570 youths, ages 10-18, who are most at risk, including homeless, disabled, food insecure, cognitively delayed, low-income, immigrants and refugees. In addition to serving 14,500 meals annually, MPTC also provides life-skills development and academic assistance through tutoring, study skills, a learning technology lab as well as science, technology, English, the arts, and math.
My Place Teen Center helps kids stay in school, yearn for something beyond their present moment, and accept social responsibility. For more information, visit www.MyPlaceTeenCenter.org, call (207) 854-2800 or e-mail donna@myplaceteencenter.org . Find MPTC on Facebook and Twitter.
2015 Youth Beneficiary – Good Shepherd Food Bank
Good Shepherd Food Bank is Maine’s largest hunger relief organization. The organization distributes nutritious food to 600 partner agencies across the state, including food pantries, meal sites and youth programs. Together with its network, the Food Bank leads a statewide effort to combat the root causes of hunger by engaging in advocacy, nutrition education and strategic partnerships. In 2014, Good Shepherd Food Bank distributed 17.5 million meals to families, children, and seniors in need throughout Maine. For more info, visit www.feedingmaine.org or call 207-782-3554.
2014 Youth Beneficiary – Rippleffect
Rippleffect is a Portland-based non-profit youth and community development organization leading outdoor adventure programs on Cow Island, in area schools and in the mountains of western Maine. Rippleffect provides Maine youth with opportunities to emerge as leaders among their peers through adventure. Using kayaks, a ropes course, island exploration and more, Rippleffect served over 2,500 Maine children in 2013. Community generosity makes it possible for young people of all backgrounds to access these outdoor adventure and experiential education programs in the greater Portland area out of Cow Island in Casco Bay.
2013 Youth Beneficiary – The Opportunity Alliance
The Opportunity Alliance mission is to work with people to build better lives and stronger communities. We do this by bringing our own expertise to bear and in partnership with other organizations seeking to improve the lives of those facing barriers. Our results-based, data-driven efforts are focused in four areas: health and wellness; economic supports; early childhood education; and community-building. Each year, we work with some 20,000 people, providing advocacy, leadership, and support. Please contact communications@opportunityalliance.org or check out our website for more information: www.opportunityalliance.org.
2012 Youth Beneficiary – The Center for Grieving Children
The Center for Grieving Children is a Portland, Maine-based nonprofit organization providing support to bereaved children and families. The CGC serves more than 4,000 grieving children, teens, families, and young adults each year through peer support, outreach, and education. Offering services at no charge for as long as people need them, the Center’s mission is to provide loving support that encourages the safe expression of grief and loss and fosters each individual’s resilience and emotional well-being. For more information about the Center’s programs and volunteer opportunities, call (207) 775-5216 or visit www.cgcmaine.org
2011 Youth Beneficiary – Day One
Day One provides substance abuse prevention, intervention, treatment and aftercare programs for Maine youth. The agency targets substance abuse at all stages with a wide-range of programs designed to meet the needs in communities across Maine. Headquartered in South Portland, Maine, Day One has been providing alcohol and drug treatment services since 1973 and mental health services since 1980. For additional information about Day One, including contact phone numbers and e-mails for concerned parents and family members seeking help, visit www.day-one.org.
2010 Youth Beneficiary – Junior Achievement of Maine
Junior Achievement of Maine (JA) is a non-profit organization providing economic education programs that help inspire Maine children to develop the skills, attitudes and behaviors of success in a global economy. Through JA classroom programs and Job Shadow experiences, JA of Maine, based in Portland, brings volunteers from the community face to face with students to make economic concepts relevant, raise aspirations, and challenge the students to excel. For more information on JA of Maine programs or to become a volunteer, call 207-347-4333 or visit online at www.jamaine.org.
2009 Youth Beneficiary – Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation
Maine Adaptive, a non-profit organization that promotes year-round education and training for individuals with disabilities in order to develop skills, enhance independence, and provide enjoyment through active recreation. Based in Bethel, Maine, Maine Adaptive provides lessons in winter and summer, free of charge and with the help of more than 400 volunteers – making it the state’s largest year-round adaptive recreation program for children and adults with disabilities. For more information, call 207-824-2440 or visit online at www.
2008 Youth Beneficiary – Susan L. Curtis Foundation
The Susan L. Curtis Foundation operates Camp Susan Curtis, providing a transformative camp experience that nurtures self-confidence and a sense of belonging in Maine children facing economic hardship. Referred by their schools, children ages 8-18 from around the state return summer after summer, with many moving to apprentice or camp staff roles that prepare them for life after Camp and pursuit of their personal, educational, and career aspirations. For more info, email info@susancurtis.org or visit www.susancurtis.org.
2007 Youth Beneficiary – STRIVE
STRIVE is a non-profit organization that serves 400 teens and young adults with intellectual and emotional disabilities by helping them use resources and participate as viable members of the community. Founded in 1999 and based in South Portland, STRIVE offers a range of programs and services through a safe and chem-free environment. For more info, visit www.pslstrive.org .
2006 Youth Beneficiary – Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF)
The Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation (CEEF) is a non-profit organization that enriches learning for Cape youth by funding innovative projects. CEEF also works to serve as a resource in helping other Maine towns interested in starting education foundations. CEEF was founded in 2001 by the Cape Elizabeth community with a goal to support the community’s tradition of excellence in public education and prepare students for a lifetime of success by fostering a love of learning.
2005 Youth Beneficiary – Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine , a non-profit youth development organization, provides programs, activities and a nurturing environment to thousands of children in Maine. Combining a safe and supportive environment, trained professional staff and a nationally-recognized “curriculum”, the Clubs focus on developing skills in teamwork, personal health and safety, conflict resolution, resisting peer pressure, and citizenship and community service. For more information contact Diana Grandoni or call (207) 874-1069 ext243
2004 Youth Beneficiary – Riding To The Top
Riding To The Top (RTT) enhances health and wellness through equine assisted activities and therapies. Each year 250 people with disabilities benefit from the healing power of horses at our 50 acre farm. Most participants rely on financial aid funded by donations, fundraising events and grants. FMI call (207)892-2813, visit ridingtoth
2003 Youth Beneficiary – Seeds of Peace
Seeds of Peace , founded in 1993 by award-winning author and journalist John Wallach, is recognized as the leading international conflict resolution program for youth. Each summer, hundreds of teens identified as their nation’s best and brightest spend a month at Seeds of Peace International Camp in Otisfield, Maine, living side-by-side with people they have been led to hate.
2002 Youth Beneficiary – Opportunity Farm
Opportunity Farm opened in 1910, offering boys a safe home, a good education and hands-on farming skills. Its core mission has remained the same. While its 300 acres still includes a farm, Opportunity Farm has adapted to modern times. The dozens of boys and girls who live at the Farm, usually between the ages of 10 and 13, attend local public schools, participate in extracurricular activities and prepare for many different vocations in life. Daily life at the Farm follows the Family Teaching Program, modeled after the well-known course at Boys Town.
2001 Youth Beneficiary – Kids First
Founded as a partnership between Resources for Divorced Families and the Junior League of Portland Maine, Inc., the Kids First Center fills a much-needed gap in the social services available to children and parents. Through support groups for four different age groups, children are provided with a safe and neutral place to share their experiences and talk about what’s happening to their families. Trained facilitators, who are mental help professionals, design activities that focus on helping children build self-confidence.
2000 Youth Beneficiary – Turning Point Farm
Set on an idyllic 12-acre, 16-room farmhouse off Route 100 in New Gloucester, Turning Point Farm is for young boys and girls who have been abused or neglected and are in the care of the Maine Department of Human Services. The program is designed to allow for healing and growth while nurturing attachments with others, including animals.
1999 Youth Beneficiary – Camp Sunshine
Camp Sunshine supports critically ill children and their families. The camp has the distinction as one of the only programs in the nation whose mission is to address the impact of a critical illness on every member of the immediate family—the ill child, the parents, and the siblings.
1998 Youth Beneficiary – Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Big Brothers Big Sisters has been the nation’s preeminent youth-service organization for nearly a century. The service is based on volunteers, and has been a proven success in creating and nurturing relationships between adults and children.