Hosted by NEWS CENTER’s Audrey Amann and Chris Facchini, 2 Those Who Care treats viewers to truly exceptional people – men and women of Eastern Maine who make a difference in the lives of others. In addition to the 2 Those Who Care Award winners, Virginia Fortier was presented with the John W. Coombs Award, a volunteer recognition award of the United Way of Eastern Maine. United Cerebral Palsy of Maine is this year’s Agency of Distinction. Each winner designates a non-profit organization to which People’s United Bank and Webber Energy Fuels has made a contribution on their behalf.

The following is a brief highlight of our honorees and their outstanding community work:

Karen Bailey (Bangor) volunteers regularly for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in Bangor. She plans the menu, buys the food, and cooks meals for more than 100 men, women, and children. An emergency room nurse at Eastern Maine Medical Center, Karen also travels abroad regularly to aid the world’s poor. After the Haiti earthquake, Karen rushed to Port-au-Prince and using her own resources, she established a clinic to aid victims.

Bill & Cookie Horner (Bar Harbor) are devoted to each other, and to helping others… together. A surgeon, Bill was instrumental in starting a breast diagnostic center at EMMC, and Cookie, a life-long nurse, founded the Acadia Homes for Students program and Brennan’s Buddies (supporting families of children battling extreme illness). Other efforts include Champion the Cure, Friends of Acadia, Evensong (singing to end-of-life patients) and Bar Harbor Brass week for young musicians.

John Parola (Dexter) is an educator and motivator affecting the lives of thousands of students and citizens. A retired teacher, John is active with the Dexter Sunrise Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, MSAD #46 School Board, and the Jeffery S. Parola Foundation. Created in memory of his son, a Maine State Police officer killed in the line-of-duty, the Parola Foundation provides scholarships, offers support to families of injured law enforcement personnel, and buys equipment for Maine State Police.

Barbara Paul (Perry) has been working to keep kids safe and sober by teaching Passamaquoddy traditions. Her students learn Native American culture and music, but most importantly, the tradition of Drumming. She teaches them to consider the Drum as their Grandmother, to show respect through sobriety in Her presence, and to call on the Drum when they need strength. Her students have gone on to keep the Native American tradition alive.

Virginia Fortier (Old Town) is this year’s John W. Coombs Award Winner, celebrating a lifetime of service to her family and community. A member of the School Board and the Old Town Museum Board, Virginia also served four terms on the Old Town City Council, including a term as mayor and on the Administrative Affairs and Finance Committees. Virginia began serving on the Eastern Maine Area Agency on Aging Board in 1996, and was elected their first woman President in 2007.

United Cerebral Palsy of Maine assists children, adults and their families coping with severe developmental or behavioral disabilities. UCP helps them overcome challenges and achieve goals to lead productive, fulfilling lives. Services include:

• Early Education/Intervention Services for children with behavioral and social needs
• Day Habilitation for children with autism or other intellectual challenges
• Residential Services providing comfortable and safe environments for those in need of evaluation and treatment
• Behavioral Health Services to support families with significant mental health issues
• Case Management Services to assist those in need of area resources and services
• Respite Services providing relief for families caring for children with disabilities

The 2010 2 Those Who Care Board of Governors include:

• Darlene Hawkes, Assistant VP / Director of Marketing, People’s United Bank
• Judy Horan, President & General Manager, WLBZ 2
• John Kuropchak, President & CEO, United Way of Eastern Maine
• Deb Sanford, RN, MS, MBA, Vice President of Patient Services & Risk Management, Acadia Hospital
• Mike Shea, President, Webber Energy
• Lisa Wahlstrom, John W. Coombs Award Winner, 2009