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Yelp Helps in Maine



Maine_YelpHelps2015_Twitter

A year ago we started a new series here in Maine called #YelpHelps. The idea was simple: once a month we would connect with a local non-profit to find out more about what they did before volunteering with them for a couple hours. Twelve months, eleven non-profits, twelve sponsors, two islands conquered, and sixty participants later, and we’re proud to announce that we’ve given over five hundred volunteer hours back to our community!

Yes, it really does feel good to do good.

OctCollage
Our fall season of #YelpHelps kicked-off at Camp Sunshine’s Pumpkin Festival at L.L. Bean. Camp Sunshine is a retreat for kids with life threatening illnesses and their families. And in October we had the chance to help light up their season by deseeding close to 600 pumpkins for kids to carve. Talk about elbow grease! Ironically, those pumpkin-chocolate chip muffins from Isabella’s Sticky Bun Cafe helped keep us motivated though! Check out the reviews and autumnal photos here!
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Jane N: “l love the Yelp Helps program!! The nicest people sign up for these volunteer opportunities!”
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In early November we came together at the United Way of Greater Portland to create Thanksgiving cards for folks receiving Meals on Wheels along with encouragement cards for youth, and we built math and literacy kits for local elementary schools as well. Lots of laughs and bad puns were had before we enjoyed a spread of delicious food from Aurora Provisions. Photos and reviews here!
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Cookie T: “Seriously, YelpHelps is the best part of this community for me. I love the exposure to new places, getting to connect with  others over meaningful tasks. I was thrilled to be able to bring a kiddo to the event this time. I think it’s crucial to expose kids to opportunities to give back. He had a lot of fun, and his artistic and pun writing abilities were on point – at least to me!”
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We ended the year at our old friends, The Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. They provide temporary care and shelter for stray, abandoned, confiscated and relinquished animals, and to place as many as possible into responsible and caring homes. In December we assisted them at their annual Holiday Open House. From pet photos with Santa to high-end craft tables to wreath selling and parking attending… we did a little but of everything for our (furry) friends. Thanks to City Deli for keeping us fed during our day-long event. Lots of puppy photos, and reviews from the day, can be found right here!
O-11
Kristi M: “So ends a the first year of Yelp Helps. I for one couldn’t be more grateful to have found such an awesome way to give back to the community. The only nonprofit we visited twice this year happens to be a personal fave for me. Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland is a wonderful organization that helps find forever homes for the most adorable furballs.”
We know that “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” (Gandhi). And because Yelp Helps has been so successful, we’re excited to announce that we’re continuing it in 2016! There are so many unique ways in which we can give back to our local community, and we’re beyond thrilled to introduce our Yelpers to even more non-profits next year. Want to get in on these fun, yet charitable, events? All you have to is RSVP!
Thanks to this season’s sponsors:
For more information on our amazing non-profits:
Connect with us:
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