Million Dollar Round Table Supports The Nezinscot Guild

Past Presidents of the Million Dollar Round Table, Phil Harriman, left and Paul Buckley, second from right, present a $5,000. check to The Nezinscot Guild Executive Director, Dan O'Shea and Board President, Kim Vandermeulen, right

River Resources, Inc d.b.a The Nezinscot Guild Receives Grant from Million Dollar Round Table Foundation

Turner: Paul R. Buckley, Sr., CLU, ChFC, of Portland, Maine, has secured a $5,000 grant from the MDRT Foundation on behalf of River Resources Inc./The Nezinscot Guild. Buckley, a 49-year MDRT member and former MDRT president, is an active supporter of River Resources Inc./The Nezinscot Guild, a small 501 ( c) (3) non-profit organization providing employment for individuals with physical, developmental and autistic disabilities – in an integrated work setting – manufacturing quality wood products and performing repackaging services for industry.

This year, the MDRT Foundation will award more than $850,000 in grants to more than 100 charities. Representing the MDRT Foundation, Buckley presented this grant on March 29, 2012 to The Nezinscot Guild at its facility located in the Turner Business Park opposite The Chick-A-Dee restaurant, in Turner, Maine. Accompanying him was fellow MDRT Past President Phil Harriman, CLU, ChFC, RFC, of Falmouth.

This $5,000 grant is to support The Guild’s roof replacement project. While 90+ percent self-supporting, The Guild must raise approximately $100,000 annually in grants and charitable donations to remain in business and to fund its social purpose.

The MDRT Foundation was created in 1959 to provide MDRT members with a means to give back to their communities. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated more than $27 million in more than 67 countries throughout the world and in all 50 U.S. states. The majority of these funds were raised by MDRT members.

The MDRT Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Million Dollar Round Table, the premier association of financial professionals. MDRT is an international, independent association of nearly 36,000 of the world’s best life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 78 countries. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional product knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of sales excellence in the life and financial services business.

For further information regarding River Resources, Inc/ The Nezinscot Guild or to contribute to this fund-raising effort, individuals may call 207-225-2444 or visit The Guild’s website at www.thenezinscotguild.com.

The Nezinscot Guild Annual Appeal

I want to tell you about Fred. He builds some of the finest wooden boxes that we produce at The Nezinscot Guild. Fred has been working with us for over two decades. He is one of those dedicated workers that gets joy out of every aspect of his work. He loves the wood products manufacturing business, he enjoys his breaks with his co-workers, and he looks forward to coming to work each day. I like to brag about Fred because he’s such a great worker and a great person. It just so happens that he is also cognitively disabled.

Phyllis is one of the most delightful people I have ever met. When she steps in the door to work each day, she brings an attitude to our work place that is contagious. She works in the industrial packaging, kitting and fulfillment area. It is always clear how important it is to her to be productive in her work. Phyllis has a cognitive disability and some physical disabilities, but these don’t keep her from loving her job and doing great work!

There is also Harvey. He is an extremely good wood worker. He tends to be quiet, but shows up on time, has an incredible work ethic and is methodical in his attention to task. Harvey is a quiet presence socially but contributes a lot to our workplace. When he takes a vacation day or a sick day, we feel his absence. He loves his job. We love employing him. Did I mention? Harvey has a mental illness.

These are just 3 of the many stories of people who just want to work and be productive. They don’t necessarily want to be CEO’s, bureaucrats or breadwinners for their respective families. They just want to have a job, feel successful, and be acknowledged. I think this is important and hope you think it is important, too.

The mission of The Nezinscot Guild is: Providing employment, support and training to people with developmental disabilities, autism, mental illness and traumatic brain injuries in a social purpose business. We provide this service without any ongoing government or taxpayer support. The costs of our services require private sponsors and support. Please help us to help others who work harder than most people to give a day’s work.

The Nezinscot Guild, DBA, is sponsored by the private non-profit organization, River Resources, Inc., a registered 501 (C) (3). We are in our 33rd year providing the same basic service to people with disabilities who want to work. We need to raise $100,000 annually to provide the “social support “ aspects of our social purpose enterprise. Please give what you can. No donation is too small. Larger donations help us expand our mission to help more potential workers with disabilities.

Thank you for your consideration.

Very sincerely,

Dan O’Shea
Executive Director