Pine Tree Society

Pine Tree Society Blog

Marie Preston’s Spirit Lives On

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Marie Preston was the second Executive Director of Pine Tree Society – or Easter Seals as it was known — and was instrumental in establishing Pine Tree Camp in 1945.

Her son, Jim Preston, was eight years old at the time and recalls that it was after the war that his mother became executive director.

Newspaper articles from the time reveal Mrs. Marie I. Preston as a tireless advocate for people with disabilities.  From spearheading conferences to leading fundraising efforts to running Pine Tree Camp and the Hyde Home in Bath, the Lewiston Daily Sun and Evening Journal made frequent mention of her efforts and accomplishments.

She achieved much before she died in December 1956 at the age of 56.

She opened Pine Tree Camp.  She opened the Hyde Home.  She was instrumental in the passage of Maine legislation providing for education of children with disabilities through the Department of Health and Welfare.  Just a year before her death she completed plans for an adult rehabilitation program and workshop at Hyde Home.

When asked what spurred her passion, Jim is sure it was her personal experience with polio that drove her.

“When she was five she had polio. She couldn’t walk and was wheeled around in a baby carriage until she was cured at age eight.  After that, she was physically all right but I’m sure it impacted her.”

When Pine Tree Camp first opened Jim describes it as typical of the time.  There was a main lodge where everyone came together for dining and there were individual cabins in the surrounding woods.

He and his father, Burton Preston, worked together to get ten cabins ready for the first year.

“We planted a big victory garden and grew all the vegetables to feed the campers and counselors.  Originally, the campers had polio and cerebral palsy and there were some who had lost a limb in farm accidents.”

Jim spent five summers there with his mother.  His father died when he was nine.

“I always loved camp.  I have many memories of the kids and of working at the camp as a family.” 

He has particularly fond memories of the early years when there were just 15 to 20 small cabins.  “We’d all have dinner together every night and after dinner people would sit around and visit.”

He recalls how it was always a big deal to put the docks in at the start of the summer and that everybody helped out.

“I’ve always been gratified by the experience,” he said.

Mrs. Marie I. Preston instilled the spirit of Pine Tree Camp in her son and in all of us who carry on her legacy today.

Thanks to her, thousands of people of all ages have been gratified by their experience at Pine Tree Camp.

Overnight Camping

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Pine Tree Camp June 21, 2018

“I wish I could stay here forever.”

“I wish I could make a friend.”

Every session campers have the opportunity to sign up for an overnight camping experience at the breathtaking southerly shore of North Pond.

At the end of free swim, the campers and their counselors head over to the campsite where they make their own dinner and s’mores at the fire, sing songs, learn about the outdoors, and make “wish boats.”

For over 30 years, campers have been decorating and writing wishes on wooden boats. As the sun sets, campers and counselors light candles in the center of the wish boats and set them afloat to drift out onto the water. Campers love to sit on the shore and watch their boats float farther and farther away, waiting for their wishes to come true. Pine Tree Camp

Our wish boats are a tradition that the entire North Pond community loves. Neighbors from all over the pond receive the wish boats on their shore where some keep them, nailing them on their walls, sheds, or fences. The North Pond Association has labeled these people as “wish keepers”, honoring the camper’s wishes for years after their wish boats set sail.

Pine Tree Society staff and Pine Tree Camp staff working together

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Wednesday, June 13th

After nearly two weeks of intense staff training, Pine Tree Camp officially opened its gates yesterday.

Before the first session of Pine Tree Camp even begins, 60 staff and counselors from all over the world participate 13 jam-packed days of training with topics ranging from camper care and lifting and transferring to supporting camper’s in programming and communication styles.Pine Tree Camp training

Pine Tree Camp was able to pull from internal Pine Tree Society experts to assist in training.  Shelley Zielinski, the Director of Pine Tree Society’s Adult Support Services and Stephanie Bell, led a five-hour NAPPI training.  This verbal de-escalation training empowers frontline staff to address behavior challenges the moment they surface.

“It’s so valuable to pull in our Pine Tree Society colleagues to be a part of our training at Pine Tree Camp,” said Dawn Willard-Robinson, Pine Tree Camp’s Director.  “We had two successful weeks of training and it showed opening day.”

This is what I like to do

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“I do a little bit of everything,” that’s how Teresa Davis describes her day.  She’s a Direct Support Professional at Pine Tree Society focused on providing the support people need to live independently.  “From helping with chores to doing errands to paying bills and balancing the checkbook, my day includes it all.”

Teresa has worked in this field for over 15 years.  She started as a job coach before transitioning to independent living support.

“This is what I like to do!”

You can hear it in her voice.  This is the job she was meant to do.

Every day, she helps people live fuller, more socially connected and independent lives.  No two people are alike and the support services she provides are tailored to meet the unique needs and desires of each individual.

“Everyone I work with has grown a lot.  For example, one woman I work with wanted to become her own representative payee so she could handle her own finances.  We worked together to accomplish that goal.”

Another person Teresa works with wanted to become her own medical guardian as well as handle her own finances.  “I advocated for her and we got the job done.”

She also helps people find new apartments when they aren’t comfortable with their living situation.  Oftentimes an individual’s living situation is tied to other challenges so there are multiple problems to solve.

She recalls two male individuals who each came to her separately needing services.  One man was homeless and the other was living with a family member and having an issue with how his money was being managed.

Teresa introduced them to each other and they ended up being roommates so they could get caught back up financially.  She’s proud to say that they both have savings accounts now.

“I’ve been busy!  There’s such a need for home support services, and the folks I work with have community support services too.  I need a bigger van!  I want to see this grow.”

Join Teresa and the rest of our team. Apply today!

Career Open House

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“Every day is different, but every day I go home knowing that I have made a big difference.”

Pine Tree Society invites you to grow with us. We are looking for new team members who want to use their talents to help Maine people with disabilities discover lives of passion and purpose as Direct Support Professionals and Behavioral Health Professionals, as well as Teacher’s Aide positions at our Early Learning Center (including possible substitute opportunities).

Join us on Wednesday, June 20 from 10 AM to 3 PM for a Career Open House at our Auburn location (589 Minot Ave, Auburn, ME) to learn more and participate in an instant, on-site interview.

No experience is necessary. Pine Tree Society provides training. Please bring your resume. Refreshments will be served.

Pine Tree Society has a really big impact in the State of Maine. Be a part of the impact!

Here are benefits that can be included—
• Sign and stay-on bonus
• Generous paid time off
• Competitive hourly wage plus Incentive Hours
• 401 K with 2% match after year of employment
• Annual pay increases
• Health, Dental and Vision Care Insurance
• Flexible spending and an Health Reimbursement Arrangement to offset deductible cost
• Employer paid Group Life and Short Term Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement available after six months of employment
• Experienced program supervisors. High quality training.
• Commitment to your professional development. Opportunities for advancement

Please contact Trish Hansen, HR Assistant, at 386-5926 or send an email to thansen@pinetreesociety.org with any questions.

Remembering Greg Ouellette

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“Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you.” —Shannon L. Alder

Through his years leading Pine Tree Camp and then Pine Tree Society, Greg Ouellette made a transformational impact on the lives of thousands of individuals.  His impact was felt, not only by the campers who attended Pine Tree Camp or individuals who benefitted from the services at Pine Tree Society, but also by the staff who worked under his leadership.

The Pine Tree Society family was saddened to hear of Greg’s passing on March 20.  We know that Greg left a strong legacy with everyone he met. We are working to keep that legacy alive. We are seeking stories and photos from those who knew and were impacted by Greg. We will compile stories in a book to be shared in print and online. Please submit your story and/or photo here no later than July 10.

If you should have any questions, please contact Stevie Bonnevie at 207-386-5976 or sbonnevie@pinetreesociety.org.

Every child deserves to experience the magic of summer camp

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“When he was born, he was diagnosed with cancer and we knew then he would be paralyzed from the waist down.”  That’s the story Elizabeth, mother of now six-year-old Kellen, recently told us.  She remembers thinking, “We’re in the middle of Maine, there’s not going to be anything for this kiddo.”

Then his physical therapist told Elizabeth and her husband Dan about Pine Tree Camp.

“She said there was a wonderful place in Rome called Pine Tree Camp and, when he was old enough, he was going to love it,” recalled Elizabeth.

His physical therapist was right. Kellen Pine Tree Camp

Kellen went to Pine Tree Camp last year.  For the first time, being in a wheelchair did not matter.  He was immersed in Maine’s beautiful outdoors participating in activities that we may take for granted…swimming in North Pond’s cool waters…exploring our network of accessible nature trails…fishing for a prized bass and swinging on our custom wheelchair swing.  He was just one of the gang.  He made friends…friends that will last a lifetime.

It’s true…Pine Tree Camp’s sessions are six-days, but the impact on our campers lasts forever.

Today, Kellen is counting down the days to go to Pine Tree Camp again.

I know that you share our belief that every child should be able to experience the magic of summer camp.  Together, we can ensure that all children are able to experience the magic of Pine Tree Camp this summer, regardless of their families’ ability to pay tuition.  Pine Tree Camp receives no state or federal funding.  We rely on the generous support of friends like you.

Won’t you please consider a donation to Pine Tree Camp today?  Your gift will make such an impact in the lives of our campers this summer.  We thank you!

Sincerely,

Pine Tree Society CEO Noel Sullivan
Noel J. Sullivan
President and CEO

P.S.  Click here today to give your tax-deductible donation securely on-line.

Keeping the drive for Camp alive

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Linda Bonnar of Brunswick started paddling for Pine Tree Camp 22 years ago at the very first paddle.  She was a  counselor supervisor at the time.

“I was just out of college and thought I had the world by the tail,” recalled Bonnar.  “I learned so much about myself at Pine Tree Camp and that there were so many more things important in life besides just myself.  I learned my work ethic there.”

It was while working at Pine Tree Camp that she developed her love for working with people.

“I saw how important Pine Tree Camp was to so many people,” she continued.  “Campers live for camp.  There are no barriers and it’s a place where they are immersed in activities and feel just like everybody else.  When camp ends, they can’t wait to come back next year to see their friends.”

Bonnar earned her master’s degree while working at Pine Tree Camp and knew that Pine Tree Society is where she wanted to have her career.  “They had a mission that met who I was as a person.”

She spent 16 years working at Pine Tree Camp. Today, she is the Director of Communication Pathways, Pine Tree Society’s speech language and Assistive Technology program, and has been with the organization for over 30 years.

Bonnar paddles for Pine Tree Camp for a lot of reasons. Linda Bonnar Paddle for Pine Tree Camp

“It’s one way to give back to a place that gave me so much.  I know how important it is and how challenging it can be for families financially.  We’ve always very much believed in an open door policy.  No one is ever held back due to an inability to pay.  The paddle is one way I can give back to help keep that open door policy in place.”

Bonnar’s goal is to raise $1900, enough money to send one camper to Pine Tree Camp this year.

This year’s paddle is also particularly meaningful for her personally.

“This year is very special for me.  A person at camp who I was very close to when I was young died this year.  He was a mentor who did a lot for me.  I feel very blessed to have known him.  He was a person who made us realize why camp was important and that the campers always came first.  I’m paddling in his memory to celebrate knowing him and to keep his drive for camp alive.”

Pine Tree Society partners with Portland Stage for ASL interpreted performance

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ASL Interpreted performance at Portland StageIn April, Pine Tree Society’s Interpreting Services team partnered with Portland Stage to provide American Sign Language interpreting for their performance of The Niceties.

“Imagine watching TV without sound. That’s what watching this play without ASL interpretation would have been like for me,” said audience member Lisette. “I would have been looking at the actions and just hoping to understand.”

Lisette enjoys going to live theatre and finds that plays are more focused on dialogue than action, which makes it very hard to follow without interpretation.

“The Niceties was an intense play that hit on many hot button issues around racism and discrimination,” noted Maura Nolin, Director of Interpreting Services at Pine Tree Society. “The interpreters worked to interpret those issues and ideas effectively to be sure the nuances were carried through.”

The interpreters prepare by studying the script and attending performances. When possible, they also watch video or listen to audio recordings of the production.Pine Tree Society sign language interpreters at Portland Stage

“They make sure they understand the goals of the play first, then they begin to build an interpretation,” Maura continued. “For example, there are two signs for the United States Constitution. They discuss each sign and determine which is the best fit so both interpreters are using the same sign.”

For Lisette, the theme of racial oppression and the discussion back and forth between the two characters left her thinking about discrimination in a general sense and the parallels with what people with disabilities and people who are Deaf face in society.

“These were the two best interpreters I have ever seen doing a play,” she said. “I really enjoyed that.”

According to Noel Sullivan, Pine Tree Society’s President and CEO, the partnership with Portland Stage aligns with the organization’s vision of providing opportunities for Maine people with disabilities to connect with the community.

“Pine Tree Society works every day throughout Maine to help people with disabilities live fuller, richer, more socially connected lives,” said Noel. “Our work to bring performing arts to those who otherwise would not have the opportunity is another example of this commitment.”