December Windstorm Impact

Please see MEMA's announcement here: https://fb.watch/p2TT0-FE8X/
 
Please share as appropriate: 
Mainers who have experienced damages as a result of the December 18 wind and rainstorm are encouraged to report those damages by calling 211 Maine. By reporting this damage you are NOT applying for assistance. This information is to assess damages and will be provided to your town to enable them to learn who has storm-related damages. A series of questions will be submitted via a damage assessment survey link. You should continue to file claims with your homeowners or auto insurance.
 
If you have damage, take pictures, and report it to 211 Maine by texting your zip code to 898-211 or call 211.
 
Receiving a presidential disaster declaration, particularly one that offers individual assistance, is based on extent of damage. Before anyone can apply for aid, the state has to prove the extent to damage to individual properties. Even if you don’t have major damage, or your insurance may cover repairs, submitting your damage assessment may help your neighbors get the support they need to begin their journey to recovery.
 
Encourage friends, families, neighbors, and coworkers to report their damages over the next few days.

 

 

Search or post volunteer opportunities in Maine

Severe storms in Maine only occasionally reach state-wide impact.  In cases with localized damage volunteer opportunities are managed by VOAD organizations and by county Emergency Management offices.  Please do not self-deploy without connecting with an organization. This is for your own safety and liability protection

  • Volunteers: The volunteer opportunities included on Maine Ready are with emergency response agencies and their partners
  • Agencies and managers of volunteers: Please use Maine Ready if your agency/organization provides services typically associated with VOAD or long-term recovery efforts. Please see below for additional avenues to source volunteers for virtual or future service.

 

hands raised icon
Search local volunteer opportunities in Maine

This section and the one that follows cover local efforts that are not part of the emergency response. 

Below is information for those looking to volunteer as well as agencies seeking to post volunteer opportunities. 

Volunteer Maine uses Engage, a service of Points of Light, to connect volunteers with opportunities in their area. Engage pulls information from popular sites including VolunteerMatch, Volunteer ME (United Ways of Maine), and Galaxy Digital, to give users a wide variety of opportunities to choose from. Access Engage HERE.

Search tip - please read! For best results, please search opportunities by zip code as opposed to town or county. If you are just browsing instead of looking for a specific opportunity, we suggest using the zip code of the largest city closest to you or your search area.

 


Agencies: Post local volunteer opportunities

Community agencies that promote local efforts which are not part of the emergency response, should continue using the volunteer management platform of their choice to source volunteers.

As mentioned above, Engage pulls information from popular volunteer management platforms, such as VolunteerMatch, Volunteer ME (United Ways of Maine), and Galaxy Digital. Your listings will appear on Engage.

Agencies that have not registered on a volunteer management platform can do so at no cost through Volunteer ME (United Ways of Maine).  There are 5 steps:

  1. select the United Way region where you need volunteers
  2. create your organization's account
  3. wait for the United Way to approve access
  4. create the "Need" for volunteers which is the description of the volunteer opportunity
  5. respond to site visitors/users who want to volunteer with you

When posting opportunities, here are a couple of tips to help users find your listing:

  • Clearly indicate what your agency is  providing in terms of services and how volunteers are assisting. 
  • Clearly indicate if the opportunity is part of a specific response effort: 
  • Please include the zip code of the service site: For organizations and agencies offering volunteer opportunities, please be sure to use the address and zip code for the site of service. Do not list the address and zip of the organization's/agency's headquarters.

 

Lewiston response: Additional info and resources

One Lewiston - comprehensive site with links to recovery supports and donation links-- view here

Maine Community Foundation's Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund directly supports victims and families impacted by the shootings. 

United Way of Androscoggin County's Community Fund: The UWAC is the United Way in Maine that covers the Lewiston region. Their Community Fund is used to support community partners providing mental health services and other critical needs

Central Maine Medical Center Compassionate Care Fund for Trauma Response and Support has been established after the Lewiston mass shooting tragedy.

 

seal of the state of maine

Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Lewiston Resources -- view here

Maine Department of Health & Human Service - Behavioral Health Resources for Those Affected by the Violence in Lewiston