The mother of two finds joy in building and sharing community.
Mainers to be Thankful For
Dahlia Verrill, Falmouth: Advocate for trans athletes aims ‘to bridge divides and build community’
The 17-year-old started speaking up in support of her peers in middle school.
Rae Ann Lajoie, Vassalboro: Coming through for people when they need it most
From taking people into her home to caring for family members, she’s always ‘doing something for someone.’
Moon Machar, Portland: Making the outdoors accessible to asylum seekers
Following in her friend’s footsteps, Machar wants to share the many benefits of connecting with nature.
Jamie Silvestri, Woolwich: Bringing kids ‘wholeness and health and healing’ through art
The founder of ArtVan has been bringing supplies to neighborhoods of kids for 20 years.
Clint Brooks, Jay: Caretaker is motivated by making a difference in everyday life
The former paper mill worker has found purpose working with people with intellectual disabilities.
Warren Graver, Freeport: Connecting kids in foster care to their community
A contractor for the state’s child and family services, he uses his network to create opportunities.
Meet our 2024 Mainers To Be Thankful For
No matter how different our backgrounds or beliefs, as humans, we have a lot more in common than we don’t. As Mainers, we have even more. This year alone, we collectively lived through a series of storms that brought widespread destruction to our state, felt the burden of rising food and housing costs, and together […]
Devyn Santora, Phippsburg: Food pantry manager wants people to choose what they eat
She led an overhaul of the Brunswick pantry to make it more accessible.
Fabian Cruz-Thompson, Biddeford: Bike shop mentee becomes the mentor
The Biddeford resident teaches children and teens how to fix bikes at the shop, where he came to do the same as a kid.