BANGOR — Gratitude is running high at Eastern Area Agency on Aging. Nelson Durgin, board president; Dana Ward, board treasurer; and Noëlle Merrill, executive director, are eager to express their extreme appreciation and to thank publicly the Next Generation Foundation of Maine for an exceptionally generous gift of a $1 million endowment.
EAAA was selected for this gift out of hundreds of applicants which demonstrates the Next Generation Foundation’s commitment to the aging population in Maine.
“This major gift will allow us to initiate new programs and expand core services long into the future,” said Merrill. “We are incredibly proud to have been chosen for this award not only because of the enormous benefit it will have on our stakeholders, but also because it is a powerful testament to the importance of the services we provide. It has been critical that we expand our services but until now we were not in a financial position to proceed as far as we have needed to.”
Maine is the oldest state in the nation, and EAAA’s coverage area spans 13,000 square miles. The endowment ensures the agency’s efforts to help seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers live well and age well will be sustainable. More than 600 people in Maine turn 60 each month, Merrill said.
“The Next Generation Foundation is pleased to fund an endowment at the Eastern Area Agency on Aging, which will offer financial stability as the agency responds to the growing aging population of Maine. The trustees were impressed with the strength of EAAA on not just the staff but the board level, and its excellence in serving our seniors,” said a spokesperson in a written statement.
Eastern Area Agency on Aging was incorporated in 1973 and serves seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis and Washington counties. EAAA operates more than 18 programs designed to improve the quality of life for the people in its vast rural territory.
For information on EAAA, visit eaaa.org.