PORTLAND, Maine — Today Portland Downtown and Machias Savings Bank presented a check to the Milestone Foundation in the amount of $8,000.00. The funds were raised through Shop for a Cause Day, a community fundraiser that took place November 26th.
Shop for a Cause Day, organized by Portland Downtown, is an annual event that encourages residents and visitors alike to shop local while giving back to the community. 47 downtown businesses participated this year, each donating a portion of their sales on November 26 to the Milestone Foundation, a nonprofit that supports people facing addiction and homelessness in Maine. Machias Savings Bank contributed $2,500 towards the grand total of $8,000, as well as medical scrubs, hand warmers and other supplies that are in high demand at Milestone’s shelter and detox clinic on India Street.
“Every day, the Milestone Foundation works on the front lines of homelessness and addiction issues in the City of Portland,” said Bob Fowler, executive director of the Milestone Foundation, “We were pleased and gratified to be selected by Portland Downtown as the beneficiary organization for this year’s Shop for a Cause Day. The funds raised on behalf of Milestone through Shop for a Cause Day will be invaluable in our work; as important, though, is the partnership that events like these represent to highlight the shared commitment between agencies like Milestone, the Portland business community, and private citizens to help our most vulnerable neighbors.”
“Each year Shop for a Cause Day is a wonderful reminder that the holiday spirit is alive and well in Portland,” said Casey Gilbert, executive director of Portland Downtown. “We are humbled by the generosity of the people and businesses who make up our incredible downtown and we’re proud to be part of a community that gives back in such meaningful ways.”
Our 2016 Shop for a Cause Day donors include Arcana, Asia West, Black Dog, The Blazin’ Ace, The Blue Lobster, Christmas Noel, Coffee By Design, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Cool As A Moose, Cross Jewelers, CS Boutique, D Cole Jewelers, Dean’s Sweets, Dobra Tea, Edgecomb Potters Gallery, The Fish and Bone, Folia, Fore River Gallery, Freak Street Imports, Gorgeous Gelato, Gritty McDuff’s, Hub Furniture, K Colette, LeRoux Kitchen, Liberty Graphics, Lisa Marie’s Made In Maine, Machias Savings Bank, Maine Potters Market, Maine’s Pantry, Mexicali Blues, Motifs, Nomads, Old Port Candy Co., Old Port Card Works, OTTO, Peyote Moon, Portland Trading Co., Portmanteau, Roux & Cyr International Fine Art Gallery, Siempre Mas, The Sock Shack, Something’s Fishy, Sweetgrass Old Port, Swiss Time, Treehouse Toys, Uncommon Paws and Vena’s Fizz House.
Portland Downtown, a nonprofit 501(c)(4) organization, is in the business of maintaining a clean and safe downtown while building and promoting a vibrant business, residential and tourism destination.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Casey Gilbert, Executive Director, Portland Downtown
casey@portlandmaine.com
Cell: 207-450-2585