Mark Baumer Newsletter (Winter 2022)
Mark’s Birthday was December 19—a Christmas gift like none other. He would have celebrated his 39th birthday this week.
In honoring Mark on his birthday, won’t you celebrate Mark and help us help others in the coming year?
Here are some happy highlights from 2022 from the Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund.
The Mark Baumer Greely Memorial Scholarships for Student Athletes-
This was our fourth year of offering The Mark Baumer Greely Memorial Scholarship for Student Athletes.
Mark Graduated from Greely High School in Cumberland, Maine in 2002. The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund awards several $1,000 scholarships to outstanding student athletes who have demonstrated involvement in their community through volunteerism and activities. We were pleased to once again reward several again in 2022.
Here are photos from two of our 2022 recipients. we were able to make a contribution to these outstanding students in 2022.
[From Top to Bottom: Jordan Bickford, Abigail Brown]
Teens to Trails-
For the second consecutive year, the Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund was able to offer support to Teens to Trails, a unique nonprofit committed to helping high schoolers access healthy outdoor experiences.
Our funds help support a student-oriented outing club in Western Maine in an underserved community.
This is a fun and effective means for getting teenagers active outside. Teens to Trails provides excellent opportunities for teens to get out into nature, stimulates curiosity, and fulfils their desire to be with groups of peers.
[Hiking Feet-Teens to Trails]
As an outdoor club, they 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.
Growing To Give-
The MBSF has now partnered with Growing to Give for a fifth year. Growing to Give’s mission is feeding healthy organic food to those in need and also furthering their climate friendly and regenerative farming practices.
Now closing out their sixth growing season, this nonprofit has grown and donated over 80,000 pounds to local people experiencing food insecurity.
Growing to Give donates produce to local people struggling with food insecurity through their partnerships with local food banks and food pantries.
Veg Fest-
Mark was a vegan. The plant-based diet was an essential element of Mark’s life and reflected his core values.
The MBSF was approached by Maine Animal Coalition to help support the 17th annual Veg Fest by providing a grant to help with makeshift wash-up stands. The even happened in October in Portland, Maine and was a free event for the community. We think it was an event that Mark would have enjoyed attending.
Board update-
For Mark, every day was Earth Day.
Mark first became concerned about environmental issues when he learned of all the trash and plastic floating out to sea from human activity. It launched him on his journey to save Earth.
Mark would have been proud of board member JT Bisson fishing out some ocean trash while on vacation in Jamaica.
Mark Baumer Walks On-
The Mark Baumer Sustainability Fund exists as a means to continue Mark’s work and vision for a better world. We exist to perpetuate good things in his name.
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.
Providing good organic food to people who otherwise would not have it through Growing to Give.
Sharing the news about a Veggie lifestyle.
We would appreciate your help in allowing Mark to continue walking. Could you help by donating? You can also like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/markbaumersustainabilityfund
There is a wonderful documentary by Julie Sokolow, Barefoot The Mark Baumer Story documentary.
We wish all our supporters and others who receive our communiques, a blessed holiday season and much success in 2023.
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.