AUGUSTA — Former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, announced via Facebook on Friday that her political action committee, Olympia’s List, would donate to the re-election campaign of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Snowe writes that the contribution is the first “major gift of the 2014 election cycle.”

Snowe’s PAC donated $10,000, the maximum amount allowed under federal law.

“It is particularly fitting that this first contribution is being made to Senator Collins as, throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a willingness to work with those across the aisle, build consensus and enact solutions critical to addressing our nation’s most pressing challenges,” Snowe wrote in the posting. “She is the type of senator who believes as our founding fathers did, that the Senate is the governmental body where the political fires are tempered, not stoked.”

Collins acknowledged the donation Friday, saying Snowe had served the people of Maine for nearly 40 years “with uncompromising dedication.”

“From the State House to the U.S. Capitol, Senator Snowe earned a well-deserved reputation as an informed, thoughtful and caring legislator who sought compromise on our nation’s most pressing issues,” Collins said in a written statement. “It was a privilege and a pleasure to serve alongside Olympia in the Senate, and I am truly grateful for her generous support of my campaign.”

Snowe formed the PAC after retiring from the U.S. Senate as a way to highlight and help centrist candidates who believe in the process of consensus building, according to information on the list’s website.