Mark Baumer Newsletter (Winter 2021)
Happy Birthday, Mark! (December 19)
Mark continues walking on through The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund. Here are some fund highlights from 2021.
Growing To Give-
We continue supporting Growing to Give, a local farm growing organic vegetables, using climate-friendly methods. Growing to Give donates produce to local people struggling with food insecurity through their partnerships with local food banks and food pantries.
In 2021 they grew over 16,000 pounds of organic vegetables for donation.
The Mark Baumer Greely Memorial Scholarships for Student Athletes-
Mark graduated from Greely High School in 2002. The MBSF awards several $1,000 scholarships to outstanding student athletes with demonstrated involvement in community volunteerism and activities. We are pleased that we were able to make a contribution to these outstanding students in 2021.
Here are photos from our 2021 recipients of The Mark Baumer Greely Memorial Scholarships for Student Athletes. These are photos they sent us going into their first semester at college in the fall.
[From top to Bottom: Branden Bickford, Camden Dean, Lucas Goettel]
Teens to Trails-
The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund recently decided to become a supporting partner of Teens to Trails. Our funds will support this student-oriented outing club in Maine in an underserved community. The MBSF board looks forward to taking part in an outing activity with that club.
Teens to Trails was founded by Carol and Bob Leone. In 2005, they tragically lost their 15-year-old daughter, Sara, in a car accident. To honor Sara’s memory, her love of the outdoors, and to offer a way for students of Sara’s age to have access to outdoor experiences, they founded Teens to Trails.
They are high school outdoor clubs. It is a fun and effective means for getting teenagers active outside. They provide excellent opportunities to appropriately place their natural attraction to risk, their curiosity, and their desire to be with groups of peers.
Student-led and faculty-facilitated, these clubs introduce teenagers to a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, camping, backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking, as well as apple picking, picnics and trips to the beach.T he goal is to build connection and community through outdoor experiences, but also striving to reach a summit without leaving others behind.
Outdoor Clubs provide safe access to the outdoors to ALL students, regardless of prior experience, gear or financial need. These adventures enable students to discover the natural world while they learn about themselves and build relationships with peers. Teens gain a sense of independence and self-reliance that will follow them through life.
To connect high school students to life-changing outdoor experiences. All teens have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, together.
American Red Cross-Disaster Relief-
It was heartbreaking to see the wreckage from the recent tornado disaster in Kentucky. So many underserved communities needing help, especially during this colder time of the year and just prior to the holidays. We wanted to lend a small hand. The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund made a $1,000 contribution to the American Red Cross, designating it specifically for disaster relief. As our treasurer Paul Scalzone noted in a board email about this, “the Red Cross is there when people need it the most, especially natural disasters.”
Giving Tuesday-
Giving Tuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday for the purposes of hashtag activism, is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is touted as a “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world. (from Wikipedia)
We received an anonymous gift from a donor indicating that they were willing to match up to $1,000 on Giving Tuesday. Donations came in from far and near. We are happy to report raising $1,500, and with the matching funds, our grand total for Giving Tuesday ended-up being $2,500! Thank you to all who donated!
Board update-
In September the board met for a beach clean up at Old Orchard Beach. It was a way to get outdoors and see beauty all around us. Well except for the trash which we picked up.
[The MBSF board picking up trash in Mark’s memory]
We would like this to be an annual event. We want to encourage our friends and family to help keep your little piece of Earth a little cleaner.
Board Vice President Dave Craig will be leaving the board at the end of the year. We want to thank him for all his time. Dave came along as a friend with considerable board and community-based experience and helped shape the MBSF, adding capacity along the way. Thank you, Dave! We wish him success as he is very involved in his community and will be back serving yet another term on the Yarmouth (Maine) Town Council. Good luck Dave!
We are happy to announce that Joann Bisson (Mark’s cousin) is going to be our new Vice President. Joann’s private sector leadership and involvement in the community is wonderful fit for our board and its ongoing needs.
Mark Baumer Walks On-
December was always a special month as Mark was born on the 19th. He would have been 38 years old.
It is also an extremely difficult (and sad) time for parents, family, and friends who loved him. He was taken too young. That is why we say Mark Baumer continues to walk on through The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund.
I know he would be happy we are doing good in his name.
Providing good organic food to people who otherwise would not have it through Growing to Give.
Helping young student athletes as they pursue their dreams through The Mark Baumer Greely Memorial Scholarship for Student Athletes.
Getting students outside to enjoy EARTH through Teens to Trails.
Helping the Kentucky tornado victims through the American Red Cross.
We would appreciate your help in allowing Mark to continue walking.
The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund exists to fund important community projects that raise awareness about the environment, promote social justice, as well as involving under-served populations directly in renewing their communities.
“It’s amazing how often we all forget this is the only opportunity we are ever going to have to live this life.”
-Mark Baumer