Press Release
For Immediate Release
The funding for the project was led by a grant from Efficiency Maine for $17,625 through its Commercial Project Grant program. This amount provided half of the funds to provide the controls, installation and software to set-up a network to enable The Maine Children's Home to consolidate the heating system for their five building campus in Waterville. The second half of the funding totaling $35,000 was provided by the S Douglas and Rita C Sukeforth
Charitable Foundation. With the financial support provided by the Foundation, the anticipated five-year payback will result in an immediate return on investment. The money preserved by the financial gift will be spent on the agency's variety of programs and families in the surrounding community. "This is certainly a great way to kick-off our Earth Week. We are very grateful for the support of Efficiency Maine and the Sukeforth family. We are honored that Efficiency Maine has selected us for the grant and the generosity from the Sukeforth family is a gesture that will be felt on our Waterville campus for many, many years to come, we are so grateful," said Sharon Abrams, executive director at the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers. Efficiency Maine was initially established in 2002 by the State Legislature's "Act to Strengthen Energy Conservation," with clear goals of saving energy, reducing energy costs, helping the environment and promoting sustainable economic development in Maine. The project at the Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers was made possible through Efficiency Maine's Commercial Grant Program. "The computer-controlled thermostats installed as part of this project is exactly the kind of initiative Efficiency Maine seeks when providing any kind of financial incentive; one that has an ongoing return on investment and provides energy savings year after year," said Paul Badeau, director of communications for Efficiency Maine. "Money that once was used to pay a high utility bill can now be used to do what Maine Children's Home does best, to help connect children and families." The project included the purchase and installation of Trident Controls which connect five boilers and computer controlled thermostats that will reduce energy, operational costs, and allow for a safer workplace. The system was installed by Trident Controls, Inc. in Cumberland, Maine. The energy efficient system will allow employees from The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers to access the heating system from a remote location, giving them the opportunity to turn down the heat on a snow day when activities are cancelled. Earlier this week, volunteers and members of the Waterville High School track team helped prepare for Earth Day on The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers campus by collecting trash and raking leaves to help prepare the grounds for The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers' Annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 23rd as well as their Annual Yard Sale to raise money for camp scholarships that will be held on April 30th. Representatives of The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers and Efficiency Maine as well as the Sukeforth family are available for interviews about the recent $35,000 project and grant from Efficiency Maine. To arrange, contact Greg Glynn at 207-623-4177. ### About The Maine Children's Home for Little Wanderers The Maine Children's Home, a full Hague-accredited adoption program, provides assistance to families hoping to adopt internationally or domestically. The Maine Children's Home, founded in 1899, gives children and Maine families hope for the future and a chance at a better life. In addition to the adoption program, the agency offers outpatient counseling, the Teen Parent School Program, The Children's Place early care and education center, a summer camp scholarship program, and a Christmas Program that provides clothing and toys to underprivileged Maine children. To learn more, visit www.mainechildrenshome.org . |
