FARMINGTON — When Bangor Savings Bank officials heard about what one student did after attending a weeklong Summer Experience, they wanted to see how they could support future students.

United Way’s Summer Experience: Leadership and Growth Through Services is a partnership with United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, GEAR UP, Syntero and the University of Maine at Farmington. This experience is for area students going into to eighth and ninth grades and provides them with the information, skill-building and resources to go back into their communities and make change. 

There are two sessions in July, one starting July 23 and the second starting July 30. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Way office, though there are several community outings. All snacks and lunch are provided. Mileage reimbursement is available.

In each session students are tasked with identifying a community and a need in that community, and determining a plan to address that need. Each small group presents their idea/plan to a panel of community members, who select the final project to move forward. The group implements that plan on the final day of their Summer Experience as a Day of Impact. 

Bangor Savings Bank has sponsored $500 toward supplies for students to use in the implementation of the winning project on the Day of Impact. The money will help students learn to work within a budget, help them plan to use their resources efficiently, and give them real-life experience in bringing their idea to life.

For more information about United Way of the Tri-Valley Area, visit www.uwtva.org or call 207-778-5048.

Bangor Savings Bank presents a $5,000 donation to the United Way’s Tri-Valley Area in support of students attending the Summer Experience. Bangor Savings Bank Assistant Vice President and Farmington Branch Manager Dyan Macomber, along with Summer Experience parent Alli Merrill, Summer Experience student Ashlei Merrill, Assistant Branch Manager Heidi Elliott and United Way Community Resource Coordinator Nichole Ernest display the award.