Powered by People: How Versant Employees Support Maine Communities

Bangor and Presque Isle, ME - When you flip on a light, charge your phone, or turn up the heat on a cold Maine morning, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. At Versant Power, it’s not just about keeping the lights on, it’s also about showing up for the communities we serve. That’s exactly what the Power Partners Program is all about.

Power Partners is an employee-led program that turns volunteer time and fundraising into real support for local nonprofits across Maine.

In 2025, Versant Power employees volunteered 1,406 hours, supported 34 nonprofit organizations, and helped donate $21,363 through the Power Partners Program. Behind every hour and every dollar is a story of someone choosing to give back.

One of those stories belongs to Larry Ogle. Once a month, Larry heads up to Caribou to volunteer at the Bread of Life Soup Kitchen. On those Wednesdays, he spends the day cooking and packaging 60 to 70 meals with a helper, meals that go directly to people in the community who need them.

(Versant Power Employee Larry Ogle delivers his Power Hours donation to Bread of Life Soup Kitchen in Caribou)

“Volunteering at a soup kitchen goes beyond just cooking and serving meals,” Larry says. “It’s really about compassion and caring for others. And I’ve yet to meet a Mainer who doesn’t enjoy some good, down-home cooking. We all deserve good food, no matter where we’re at in life.”

Power Partners also shines when employees come together as a team. Through Power Pack, groups of Versant employees regularly volunteer side by side, like the teams who have pitched in with Window Dressers in Orono. This team of Versant Employees helped build insulating window inserts that keep homes warmer and energy costs down during Maine winters.

 

(Carolina Rave & Emily Tadlock at Window Dressers)               (Tony Valcourt & Tina Morrill at Window Dressers)          

      

“We know when the Versant team volunteers, we are going to get a lot of work accomplished,” says Megan Hess, Environmental Services Manager for the Town of Orono and a coordinator for the program. It’s a great example of how teamwork can turn a few hours of volunteer time into real, practical help for neighbors.

All Power Partners donations stay right here in Maine and support organizations serving people within our service territory. All charitable giving and sponsorships are funded by shareholders, not by ratepayers.

At the end of the day, Power Partners is about more than numbers. It’s about employees like Larry, teams rolling up their sleeves together, and trusted community partners who know they can count on Versant volunteers. It’s one more way Versant Power is proud to support Maine—one hour, one team, and one community at a time.