Great Success and one more meeting to seal the deal

Please forward to all Durham, Freeport, and Pownal voters


May 17, 2012

Dear PORT champions,

Thank you to all who have tirelessly and boldly attended meetings, talked to counselors and school board members, and been the citizen voice for the PORT and its teens. For those of you unaware, the PORT is facing a $20K funding gap for the upcoming school year, and closure of the center was imminent. Today, I am happy to be able to report out on the fruits of our labor.



After a tremendous showing of support for the PORT at the public hearing for the Town of Freeport’s operational budget, we have identified $15K in funding. LL Bean has stepped up once again, and committed $10K to the PORT on top of the $3K they already annually contribute. Furthermore, Counselor Sara Gideon made a motion to add $5K to the Town of Freeport’s budget to support the PORT teen center at last night’s budget workshop. A non-binding concensus poll of the counselors shows broad support, and the the Town is writing the $5K into the operational budget that will be officially voted on tonight. If you are interested, the Budget Adoption occurs tonight, 5/17/12, at 7pm at the Freeport Town Hall.



Now we have one more exciting meeting to make this budget push a slam dunk and completely close our $20K funding gap- your vote will literally count:

We have already approached the RSU5 school board to stand with the Town of Freeport, LL Bean, and countless other private and business donors by financially supporting the PORT. The board voted against allocating money for the PORT teen center.



Now, on Wednesday, May 23rd at 6:30pm at the FHS cafeteria, we can override the school board’s decision with a simple majority vote from citizens in attendance. Your vote literally, directly, and immediately counts.



Here is the School Board meeting procedure to add funds for the PORT teen center:

1. We need every possible PORT supporter to attend the May 23rd meeting. Registered Durham, Pownal, and Freeport voters will be issued a voting card. Bring proof of residency.

2. The board will work through various budget items. At the appropriate budget item, the PORT will have a pre-determined representative make a motion to add $5K to the school board budget for the PORT.

3. The school board will take a vote of citizens in attendance. A majority vote means the money will be added to the budget and our $20K gap will be sealed.



We need to fill the room one more time. It’s that simple.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,





Evan Kumagae, PORT Coordinator



FMI, contact Evan: (207) 865-6171 or horvathe@rsu5.org

Wow and thank you- What a success!

Dear teens, families, and friends,





All we can say about the turn out for Sitting Pretty 2012 is WOW and thank you!!! We say "wow" because this year was bigger and more popular than ever. We had about 250 guests at the event who came to enjoy the food, festivities. These guest also came to win some amazing paddles at the auction. The charity auction raised well over $16,000.00! This is significantly more than ever before, so we are very happy and proud of the results.





Thank you to everyone who made this event possible:

• The 100 teen and adult artists




• The 250 guests who came to our family event and bidded high!




• The "no drama mammas" and adult volunteers who helped with the planning and execution of this large event.




• The teen volunteers who helped out at the event.




• The various stores than let us display paddles

... and we can't forget our business sponsors:

• LL Bean donated paddles




• Sherwin Williams, Yarmouth donated paint and polyurethane




• Colorgraphics! donated our advertising and media




• Thomaston Place Auction Galleries donated auctioineer services

House Keeping Note: New Phone Number

The PORT has a new afterschool phone number: (207) 865-3985 x236

Our office and morning number remains the same: (207) 865-6171

February News

You're invited to Sitting Pretty 2012: 100 paddles, 100 Artists

Sunday, March 25, 4:00-6:30pm

$10pp/$25family

Freeport Community Center: 53 Depot St., Freeport

Preview Paddles Here: http://www.theportteencenter.org/

For tickets or info: 207-865-6171

We Need Your Help

Please read this information abou the PORT's needs and financial situation. We need your backing to continue our mission of serving teens:

https://docs.google.com/a/rsu5.org/document/d/1pB6QvGhr1iiYpEDr9jv5J11iHo3cnz_B13JuHNc8Kxw/edit?hl=en_US#

February Break Center Hours:

CLOSED: M-F, February 20-24

Regular hours resume Monday, February 27th

A Tip from our Friends at Casco Bay C.A.N.

Snow Day Closure and Revised Midterms hours

PORT CLOSED-Today, Thursday, 1/12 due to snow

Revised PORT hours during FHS Midterms:
Monday, 1/16: Closed for MLK Day
Tuesday, 1/17: Open 220-600pm
Wednesday- Monday, 1/18-1/23: 12-600pm

January Happenings!

Dear Teens & Families,

Happy New Year to all! We ended this year with a flurry of activities. Thank you to all the teen and adult volunteers who helped out at LL Bean Giftwrapping, Drop & Shop Babysitting, and the Ca$H Club Dance. Your help raised over $800 for the PORT teen center in the week before Christmas.

January Happenings:
2011-12 Port Annual Fund Drive: We are having an excellent repsonse to our Annual Fund solicitation. Thank you to all our supporters. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to our center, please call Evan at (207) 865-6171.

Friday Night Dodgeball- 1/6: This event is free to all High School students. 8-930pm at Mast landing School Gym. You need a signed, once per school year waiver, so print one off our facebook page or bring a parent to the event.

PORT CLOSED-Martin Luther King Day: Monday, 1/16. Enjoy your time off, but take a moment to honor the dream: http://www.thekingcenter.org/

Friday Night Dodgeball-1/20: 8-930 @ MLS

Drop & Dine Babysitting Fundraiser: As a fundraiser, the PORT teen center and Laugh and Learn Childcare are cohosting this event designed to give parents a night off. Your young children will enjoy food and fun in the Laugh and Learn classrooms while being supervised by teen volunteers and Laugh and Learn teachers. 530-8pm. $15child/$10 each additional sibling. Pre-registration required. Call RCE at (207)865-6171.

Winter Break Hours

Winter Break Hours:

Friday, Dec 23: 12-6pm

December, 24 through January, 2: CLOSED

We re-open on Tuesday, January, 3rd.

A special thank you to Teen DJ Thomas Dodge for doing a great job at the CA$H CLUB DANCE:

December Happenings:

Hello Teens and Families:

December is an exciting and busy month for everyone. The PORT is no different. Have a look at our upcoming events. We'd love to have you at any of them. Also, if you would like to volunteer, we need help at all of these events.

Cash Club Dance featuring DJ Thomas Dodge:

Saturday, December 17. 8-11pm. 8-9pm arrival time. $3.00 at the door. 9-12th grades. Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St.

LL Bean Giftwrapping Fundraiser:

Monday, December 19th from 3-9pm. The PORT will be wrapping gifts at LL Bean's. Wrapping is free, but all tips are appreciated and go directly to the PORT. Look for us inside the entrance of the flagship store nearest the giant Bean Boot.

Drop and Shop Babysitting

Mon.-Wed., Dec 19-21. 530-800pm. The PORT and Laugh and Learn childcare are joining up for a fundraisers. Parents can bring their small children to Morse Street School's Laugh and Learn Classroom for an evening of babysitting. Laugh and Learn teachers and teen volunteers will be there to entertain and supervise your children. Kids will get dinner. $15 for first child, $10 for each additional sibling. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER 207-865-6171.