Bi-Weekly Blog October 17, 2025 a.k.a The WTH B.W.B.
Our birthday or rather “anniversary” came and went on October 9 th . It was our 14 th year since we started, quite
literally on a whim.
I have said it at least a dozen times; I NEVER could have anticipated Welcome To Housing Home Goods Bank
(hereafter referred to as WTH) Incorporated would reach the level that it is now. It also amazes me that we still
have years to go where we will continue to become more structured and grow to meet the ever-increasing
demand for services.
Recently I was contacted by a lady named Sarah Bowden. Oddly enough her husband is related to a very hard-
working volunteer I used to work with from Bucksport, named Craig Bowden. She reached out to me because a
couple was working to get custody of their two children and the only thing standing in the way of it working
out, was the fact they both needed to have “real” beds, not cots, not mattresses on the floor, not a pull-out sofa
bed.
They had twin platform bedframes, platform meaning there was no need for box springs. Where they were
needed was quite a distance away, I ordered a pair of twin mattresses and had them delivered to Sarah’s
nonprofit.
Her organization is based in Ellsworth and can be found online www.communitycloset207.org
They have a great mission statement on their website:
To serve our community by providing access to low and no-cost maternity, baby needs, hygiene products,
clothing, shoes, blankets, and other necessities. Items are made available (by donation) without limits at low
to no cost in our retail store. Additionally, we are a stop-gap organization for emergency situations such as
house fires, domestic violence, homelessness, and other unforeseen circumstances.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation located in Ellsworth, Maine in Hancock County.
The effort to work and build ties is important to me and WTH. In a Facebook Messenger conversation with
Sarah, it hit me. I should contact ACAP, which stands for the Aroostook County Action Program. In addition to
a longtime friend and volunteer who JUST retired recently from ACAP (Kim Guerrette Michaud), I wanted to
find a way to help as well as stay “in the loop” as the three counties start working together.
There’s a meeting coming up in November in Millinocket and the Executive Director, Jason Parent, was
extremely nice to talk with. I also figure it wouldn’t hurt to ask if he knew Mark Parent. I worked with Mark at
Q-106.5/WQCB when it first came on the air when Robin and I moved to Bangor in 1986. Mark also worked
for many years for Channel 2, WLBZ as their copywriter. His position was eliminated but he landed on his feet,
first doing some work with Sutherland-Weston and now has a great gig with the Cianbro Corporation.
Why am I sharing all this? Well, Jason Parent not only KNEW Doug Dunbar the Founder of Penobscot County
Cares, but Jason also KNOWS Mark Parent… Yes, they’re distant cousins!
It’s Friday evening, October 17 th and I might be wrapping this up shortly.
I’m excited about the three counties working together and looking forward to the round table (virtual on my
end) session next month. I made another video and shared it far and wide on social media on how much sense it
makes as they can work SMARTER and NOT harder. It’s very important, especially in light of the current
administration’s seeming lack of empathy for people in need.
Tomorrow morning, around 8:30 I hope to be picking up a few extra sets of hands at Wellspring Men’s House to
take up to 333 Main. The Golden Key International Honor Society from UMaine is going to have volunteers
coming around 9:00am to meet Jan Doucette, one of our long-term volunteers and trustees. The third part of
tomorrow is a truck bringing 24 tables and about 100 chairs (I HOPE they STACK) arranged for by the Golden
Key group.
We’re planning on taking the leg posts off of the tables so they can be stored easier. I’m planning on using my
newer Milwaukee cordless drill. We had a nice Craftsman one, but the batteries don’t hold the charge, plus the
fact the 19.something volt drill was WAY too heavy to use for any length of time.
Also looking forward to working with our SCORE (now I know it’s “Service” Corps, not “Senior” Corps Of
Retired Executives) mentor, Dennis over the coming months as we start the ball rolling on long-term planning.
Starting out small, we’ve grown thanks to some incredibly strong community support that really spans a wide
cross-section of resources. We’ve reached the point of really needing more structure so we can ensure our
effectiveness as the demand for our services continues to grow and to make sure, we’re around for a very long
time.
If you’re interested in getting involved as a volunteer, a sponsor, or have a business, club or organization, or
even as an individual to organize an event to raise awareness and funds for Welcome To Housing Home Goods
Bank, Inc. feel free to reach out to me directly: welcometohousing@gmail.com or by calling or texting my cell:
(207) 745-1287.
Have a wondrous couple of weeks!
Your friend and Founder,
Christopher K. Olsen
