From the left are John Beliveau, treasure and cofounder of friends of River Valley; Diane Donaldson, senior vice president and Team Lead Southern Maine Commercial Lending at Bangor Savings Bank; and Severin M. Beliveau , FRV board member.
Friends of River Valley, an all-volunteer nonprofit dedicated to supporting disadvantaged youth in rural Maine, has been awarded a $4,000 grant from the Bangor Savings Bank Foundation to expand its outdoor recreation programs. The grant will allow the organization to provide free skiing lessons, equipment rentals, transportation, and meals for middle and high school students in the Romford, Mexico and Dixfield region. The grants will go towards projects with Mountain Valley High School Outing Club and Black Mountain of Maine and will also help cover scholarships for winter sports in club activities, which have historically been underfunded. Founded after the pandemic, FRV has served hundreds of families, focusing on food insecurity and community outreach. The organization has grown significantly, now offering year-round recreational activities for children, who otherwise might not have access due to financial constraints. This latest funding is another step towards achieving its mission of equal access to outdoor education and wellness. CREDIT: Bruce Farrin Rumford Falls Times