Bar Harbor Bank & Trust’s Employee-Driven Charitable Giving Program Presents More than $21,000 in Donations to 10 Nonprofit Organizations Serving Northern New England

Bar Harbor, Maine (December 10, 2025) – Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees recently presented more than $21,000 in donations collected through the Bank’s employee-driven charitable giving program, Casual for a Cause, to 10 organizations serving communities in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The recipients of the donations collected during the third quarter of 2025 are:

• Maine
• Bangor Public Library
• Cherryfield Academy Community Center
• Friends of Pittsfield Public Library
• Green and White Hope
• Old Town Public Library
• Regional Medical Center at Lubec
• New Hampshire
• Cottage Hospital
• Granite United Way
• Vermont
• Bugbee Senior Center
• The Dodge House

Casual for a Cause participants dress casually on Fridays in exchange for a bi-weekly payroll deduction made to a pool of funds collected each quarter. The program participants then vote on which community organizations will receive the funds collected the previous quarter. More than $437,000 has been donated since the program began in 2018.

“The way that our Casual for a Cause program has evolved and grown really speaks to the commitment of my colleagues, as much as their generosity,” said Jack Frost, VP Director of Community Giving at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. “These contributions each quarter show that giving back to the communities we serve, and empowering nonprofits across Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, is a cornerstone of our Bank’s culture.”

Recipients of Q3 2025 Donations

Maine

Bangor Public Library

The Bangor Public Library strives to inspire, enlighten, and enrich its members by connecting them to books, information, and ideas needed for work, recreation, education, and inspiration by providing excellent service to its members and the community. Learn more at bangorpubliclibrary.org.

“More than the generosity of the gift, it is the selection by the bank employees that means so much to library staff,” said Ben Treat, Director of the Bangor Public Library.

Cherryfield Academy Community Center

Housed in an historic former school building, the Cherryfield Academy Community Center is a 21st-century hub for the local population, serving as a meeting place and event space that enriches the lives of those in the community with a calendar filled with a variety of activities and gatherings.

“The Board of Trustees at Cherryfield Academy Community Center wishes to thank the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for choosing us as the recipient of a generous donation through your employee-led Casual for a Cause program,” said Lori Barbee, the community center’s treasurer. “These funds will be used toward future programs for community members of all ages, especially our Cookies and Cocoa with Santa & Mrs. Claus and other holiday events. We appreciate your support.”

Friends of Pittsfield Public Library

Serving the area since its construction in 1903, the Pittsfield Public Library has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983, and exists as a welcoming place for all members of the community to meet and interact. The library supports personal growth and development through lifelong learning, with the collection featuring nearly 25,000 volumes, dozens of periodicals, and five computers available to access the internet. Learn more at pittsfield.lib.me.us.

“Thank you so very much for the wonderfully generous gift to our library,” said Sue Leibowitz, Treasurer of the Friends of Pittsfield Public Library. “You are, without doubt, the best bank with wonderful people.”

Green and White Hope

Inspired by the tragic loss of the founder’s 18-year-old nephew while working as a commercial fisherman in 2023, Green and White Hope is working to prevent fatalities among commercial fishermen. The organization does this through safety programs and technology advancement, while also advancing recovery capabilities in support of Maine communities that rely on the sea. Learn more at www.greenwhitehope.org.

“We’re extremely grateful to the team at Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for their generous donation to Green and White Hope, Inc.,” said Liz Michaud, Founder and President of Green and White Hope. “These funds will immediately support our production of the Community Orchestration Guide, a best practices manual that enables our Maine harbor communities to establish an emergency response plan that can lead to saving fishermen’s lives. Together, we are working to bring every fisherman home!”

Old Town Public Library

The Old Town Public Library seeks to maintain and improve the quality of life for all citizens of the community by providing resources and programs that enhance and contribute to individual knowledge, enlightenment, and enjoyment in the most efficient manner possible, and recognizes its responsibility to serve as a place for children to discover the joy of reading and the value of libraries. Learn more at old-town.lib.me.us.

“The generous donation made by the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust made a real difference for our library, helping us expand our makerspace and reach more members of the community,” said Cassandra Pool, Director of Old Town Public Library. “Their support shows a true commitment to education and local impact. We’re proud to have them as a partner in serving our community.”

Regional Medical Center at Lubec

Seeking to become a center of excellence within five years, and the provider and employer of choice for providing comprehensive, family-oriented, and holistic healthcare in Downeast Maine, the Regional Medical Center at Lubec works to promote, provide, and coordinate quality healthcare in the region. Learn more at rmcl.org.

“Regional Medical Center at Lubec wants to thank Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for its generous donation,” said Tom MacDonald, CEO of Regional Medical Center at Lubec. “The funds will be used to support our mission to promote, provide, and coordinate quality healthcare for the Downeast Region.”

New Hampshire

Cottage Hospital

Woodsville’s Cottage Hospital has served residents of the Upper Connecticut Valley for more than 120 years. The hospital is a Level IV Trauma Center and modern 35-bed Critical Access Hospital with a reputation for providing exemplary care. Learn more at cottagehospital.org.

“We at Cottage Hospital would like to thank the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for their generosity,” said Holly McCormack DNP RN, CEO of Cottage Hospital. “Your support helps us fulfill our mission of providing accessible, high-quality care to our community.”

Granite United Way

New Hampshire’s Granite United Way is a champion for many nonprofits in the region, including the Whole Village Family Resource Center, which supports families in 18 towns surrounding Plymouth through “wrap around” services provided by local agencies. The organization seeks to improve the quality of people’s lives by bringing together the caring power of communities. Learn more at graniteuw.org.

“The generous support from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust employees reminds us that it takes all of us to move our community forward. Their shared commitment to improving the lives of our neighbors demonstrates that together we can create lasting change,” said Nichole Martin Reimer, President and CEO of Granite United Way.

Vermont

Bugbee Senior Center

Open since 1980 and owned by the town of Hartford, the Bugbee Senior Center is a community resource that invites older adults in the Upper Valley to age well through food, friendship, participation, and purpose. The center offers Meals on Wheels, activities, classes, social events, wellness services, and more geared toward the needs of older adults. Learn more at bugbeecenter.org.

“Thank you to Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for this gift, which helps older adults at Bugbee Senior Center to age well through food, friendship, participation, and purpose,” said Mark Bradley, Executive Director of the Bugbee Senior Center. “We are able to welcome people regardless of their means because of contributions like this. Everyone at Bugbee is grateful that BHBT has put a stake in building a community where anyone can age with dignity and support.”

The Dodge House

Offering transitional housing for veterans experiencing homelessness, The Dodge House offers substance-free housing and provides a safe place where veterans can rebuild their lives, with donations supporting services and operations. Learn more on the organization’s Facebook page.

“We are deeply grateful to the employees of Bar Harbor Bank & Trust for selecting The Dodge House as their Casual for a Cause recipient,” said Kimberly Jarrait, Executive Director of The Dodge House. “This generous donation directly supports the veterans we serve by helping fund safe housing, daily essentials, and personalized case management services that empower them as they work toward independent living. Your belief in our mission reminds our residents that they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.”

Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSE American: BHB) is the parent company of its wholly owned subsidiary, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust. Operating more than 60 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust is headquartered in Bar Harbor, Maine, and has more than $4.5 billion in assets. As a leading Northern New England community bank, Bar Harbor Bank & Trust offers a full range of personal and business banking services, as well as wealth management services through its subsidiary Bar Harbor Wealth Management. For more information about Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, visit www.barharbor.bank or call 888-853-7100. Member FDIC.

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