Author: Karen Garnett

A proud Biddeford alumna, Karen Garnett brings over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, graphic design, and development across the health care and education sectors. She currently serves as Communications Director for the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton School Departments, shining a spotlight on the achievements of our community’s schools, staff, and students. Beyond the school walls, Karen is a Biddeford-Saco Rotarian, Notary Public, and Wedding Officiant. She enjoys home renovations, creating memories with her grandsons, and running her small business, Diverse Anecdote, LLC.

Rotary Club program brings holiday cheer to 200 local children

~ Karen Garnett ~ Leave a comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

This holiday season, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club once again demonstrated the power of community through its annual Adopt-A-Family Program, ensuring that 200 local children experienced the joy of Christmas morning. Despite the growing need, Rotarians and their helpers remained undeterred—managing every aspect of the program, from shopping and wrapping to organizing deliveries, through a collective effort rooted in service.

Each year, the club partners closely with the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton School Departments to identify families who may need extra support during the holidays. Parents create wish lists that include clothing, toys, and basic necessities, which Rotarians and community volunteers eagerly fulfill.

Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club continues Adopt-A-Family program. These donated gifts will be headed to the homes of 200 children in the Biddeford-Saco area. (Courtesy Photo)

“This program is about much more than gifts,” said Rotarian Shelley Kane, Adopt-A-Family Program Co-Chair. “It’s about dignity, compassion, and letting families know that their community truly cares. When we see the number of children we’re able to support grow each year, it reinforces just how important this work is.”

The Rotary Club budgets $9,000 annually–or $125 per child–for the Adopt-A-Family Program. The Program is made possible by the club’s annual Mini Golf For Good Fundraiser, which takes place in August each year. Through the generosity of event sponsorships and friends at Schooner Mini Golf, Raptor Falls Mini Golf, and, in recent years, Martel’s Mini Golf, the club is able to support this program year after year.

Many Rotarians and community members independently sponsor children, enabling the club to serve more families and meet growing holiday demand for assistance.

“Time and time again, people step up in incredibly generous ways,” added Jane Foley, Adopt-A-Family Program Co-Chair. “Whether it’s a Rotarian, a local business, or a family member who hears about the program, there’s a shared desire to make sure no child feels forgotten during the holidays.”

In addition to the individual Rotarians and community members who went above and beyond by sponsoring families, the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club extends a heartfelt thanks to the Biddeford High Schoo’s National Honor Society and Be The Change Team, Girl Scout Troop 1161, the Family of Maureen Grandmasion, Academy of Dance, Coastal Winair Co., Mick’s Sports Bar, Saco Elks Lodge, Pension Professionals, Rousseau Insurance, and ServPro. Their extraordinary generosity and commitment to giving back to the community are inspiring.

“Our club is incredibly proud of this tradition,” said Haley Thompson, President of the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club. “Adopt-A-Family Program reflects the very heart of Rotary—neighbors helping neighbors. The impact goes far beyond December, and it’s a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together.”

For more information on the Biddeford Saco Rotary Club or to learn more about the Adopt-A-Family program, visit: http://www.biddeford-sacorotary.org

You may also visit their Facebook page at: Rotary Club of Biddeford Club of Biddeford-Saco. 

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools. She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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Biddeford Adult-Ed program earns prestigious, national grant

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By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Biddeford Adult Education’s First Teachers Family Literacy Program has been selected as one of only three programs in the entire nation to receive a $10,000 grant through the newly launched Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy, an initiative of the George & Barbara Bush Foundation aimed at addressing America’s growing literacy crisis.

Biddeford Adult Education’s Family Literacy Coordinator Julie Berube promoting Family Literacy Month.

The fund’s launch was formally announced on November 5, 2025, during a reception at Texas A&M University’s Bush School for Government & Public Service in Washington, D.C. At the event, George & Barbara Bush Foundation CEO Alice Gonzalez Yates highlighted the urgent literacy challenges facing U.S. families—and the critical national role of family literacy programs like Biddeford’s.

Biddeford Adult Education’s First Teachers Family Literacy Program rose to national attention following an in-depth review by Pamela Cote, Senior Director of Literacy Programs and Partnerships for the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Over the past year, Cote examined the program’s family learning events, parent–child literacy activities, and photos illustrating the authentic ways Biddeford families learn together.

“This recognition means so much because it affirms the heart of our work,” said David Durkee, Adult Education Director. “Julie Berube, our Family Literacy Coordinator, pours so much into creating supportive, joyful learning experiences for families. To be identified as one of the most impactful programs in the country is incredibly uplifting and motivates us to expand this work even further.”

When we invest in family literacy,
we strengthen our students’
foundation for lifelong learning.

–Supt. Jeremy Ray

National data underscores the need: more than half of U.S. adults read at or below a sixth-grade level, and 69% of fourth graders lack proficiency in literacy—challenges linked to multigenerational poverty, academic struggles, and workforce-readiness barriers.

The $10,000 grant will enable Biddeford Adult Education to expand parent–child literacy events, increase early childhood reading activities, offer more parent education workshops, and strengthen partnerships that promote literacy from early childhood onward.  These funds will broaden both the reach and depth of programming, ensuring more Biddeford families have access to tools, resources, and support that help build strong literacy foundations.

Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray praised the program’s national recognition, noting its direct impact on students and families: “This award shines a light on the powerful work happening right here in Biddeford. When we invest in family literacy, we strengthen our students’ foundation for lifelong learning. I’m incredibly proud of our Adult Education team for creating spaces where parents and children learn, grow, and succeed together.”

The new Fund represents the next chapter in a decades-long national commitment to literacy. Since 1989, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has invested more than $130 million in literacy programming across all 50 states. The establishment of the Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy transitions the Foundation’s historic program operations into a national grantmaking model designed to amplify high-impact local programs.

In announcing the first three recipients, the Foundation recognized Biddeford alongside Briya Public Charter School in Washington, D.C. and Achieve Plant City in Florida—placing Biddeford Adult Education in extraordinary company as part of the inaugural national cohort. As the Fund moves forward, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation will work closely with national literacy experts to shape the full grantmaking process, with the next round of grants expected in 2026.

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Karen Garnett is the communications director for the Biddeford School System. She can be contacted at kgarnett@biddefordschools.meN

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Area students launch campaign to fight hunger

~ Karen Garnett ~ 1 Comment

By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

Beginning today (Oct. 29) students across the Biddeford, Saco, and Dayton school districts are joining forces to help fight hunger in their own backyards through a new initiative called “Spare Change Fills Plates.” The campaign comes at a critical time, as SNAP benefits end for many local families, impacting children who already face food insecurity.

“In our three communities, one in two students is economically disadvantaged,” said Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray. “No one should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, and while all students receive free breakfast and lunch at school, that support doesn’t cover dinners, snacks, or weekends. We’re proud of our students for taking action to help their peers and for showing that even the smallest acts—like donating spare change—can have a big impact.”

Superintendent of Schools Jeremy Ray with students Cordelia Kane of Biddeford High School, Kennedy Ray of Saco Middle School, and Camden Belanger of Dayton Consolidated School. (Contributed photo)

Led by students from each district, Spare Change Fills Plates encourages everyone to take part.

Donation containers and food collection boxes will be placed at each school to collect spare change and non-perishable food items. Local businesses are encouraged to participate by hosting a coin jar and/or a non-perishable food box to help extend the campaign’s reach.

“No one should have to worry about
where their next meal is coming from”

— School Supt. Jeremy Ray

Community members who prefer to give online can contribute directly to the Biddeford Education Foundation for Biddeford and Dayton students, or to Aid for Saco Kids for Saco students, at the following links: https://givebutter.com/BiddEdFoundation or https://givebutter.com/AidForSacoKids.

Every dollar and donated food item will support the local backpack programs and the community, ensuring that students and their families have meals beyond the school day.

Suggested food donations include pasta, sauce, canned meat (tuna, chicken, etc.), Tuna/Hamburger Helper, rice, beans, canned soup, vegetables, and fruit, pop-top canned goods (Chef Boyardee, etc.), oatmeal, pancake mix, instant potatoes, cereal, kid-friendly snacks such as granola/protein bars, microwave popcorn, peanut/sun butter and jelly, and crackers.

“Together, we can fill plates, lift spirits, and show the true power of community,” said Ray. 

To learn more, watch the student launch videos: Biddeford/Dayton video at https://youtu.be/X92mPtjDWII and Saco video at https://youtu.be/X82-DqAjPPY.

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Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools. She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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Biddeford Education Foundation raises more than $20K to help students

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By KAREN GARNETT, Contributing Writer

The Biddeford Education Foundation (BEF) held its Eighth Annual Pillars of Pride event to honor two remarkable community members: longtime educator Joyce Tarpy and local photographer Maureen Grandmaison. The celebration, hosted at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford, raised over $20,000 for the Foundation, which provides resources outside the school budget to enhance learning opportunities, assists students in need of food, clothing, and shelter, and supports teacher mini-grants to maximize opportunities for students Pre-K through Grade 12.  

The event began with a welcome from BEF President Shelley Kane, who expressed gratitude to the evening’s sponsors, local businesses, and community members for their generous contributions. Kane reminded attendees that the Pillars of Pride celebration is more than just a night of recognition—it is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser and a vital source of support for Biddeford students.

The Biddeford Education Foundation honored longtime educator Joyce Tarpy (right) and photographer Maureen Grandmaison (center), pictured with Biddeford School Department Superintendent Jeremy Ray (left), at its Eighth Annual Pillars of Pride event on October 18, 2025. 

“These are difficult times for many families, with housing and food insecurity at record highs,” Kane shared. “In Biddeford Schools alone, we have 134 students experiencing homelessness—an increase of nearly 300 percent in just five years. Thanks to the generosity of donors and events like Pillars of Pride, we can respond quickly when families need help and ensure students have access to opportunities that make learning meaningful.”

“These are difficult times
for many families”

— Shelley Kane, BEF president

Funds raised by the Foundation have had a powerful impact across the district, helping students and teachers alike. BEF has served 220 students through funding the Backpack Program and after-school snack programs, prevented homelessness of 51 students through emergency rent relief, assisted 36 families from having their utilities disconnected, provided winter clothing for all students in need, partnered to provide 103 families with Thanksgiving meals, and awarded teacher mini-grants benefiting 1,651 students by bring creativity and innovation into the classroom. Recent mini-grant projects have included implementing a Unified Bocce Ball team to promote inclusion, a bird-watching initiative that allowed students to study local ecosystems firsthand, as well as hands-on art collaborations that connected creativity with community service.

“This event was a wonderful reminder of how much stronger we are when community members step forward to share their gifts,” said Superintendent Jeremy Ray. “Joyce and Maureen are the kind of people who make a lasting mark—not because they seek recognition, but because they show up, time and again, for our students and staff. Their care, generosity, and quiet leadership embody the very best of Biddeford. The success of this event reflects the spirit of Biddeford and the pride we all share in helping every child thrive.”

“This event was a wonderful reminder
of how much stronger we
are when community members
step forward to share their gifts.”

— Supt. Jeremy Ray

Following the Superintendent’s remarks, honorees Joyce Tarpy and Maureen Grandmaison were recognized with silver plaques that will be displayed in their honor—Tarpy’s at Biddeford High School’s Tiger Gym, where seniors take their final graduation walk, and Grandmaison’s at Waterhouse Field, where she has spent countless hours photographing student milestones. Both women shared heartfelt remarks reflecting on their deep connection to the community, Biddeford students, and their gratitude for the recognition.

The ability to help our local families in need through this major fundraiser is made possible thanks to the following: Diamond Sponsor – Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating and Provencher Fuels; Gold Sponsors – Maine Community Bank and Saco & Biddeford Savings; Silver Sponsors – Locke & Sons Plumbing & Heating, PeoplesChoice Credit Union, and The Lincoln Hotel; Bronze Sponsors – Bergen & Parkinson LLC, Brown Dog Carriers and Logistics, Great Falls Construction, Rotary Club of Biddeford-Saco, and Saco Veterinary Walk-In Care & Animal Hospital of Saco; Black & Orange Sponsors – Academy of Dance, Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Diverse Anecdote, Kennebunk Savings Bank, Randy Forcier/CMG Home Loans, Rousseau Insurance Agency, and Saco House of Pizza; and the many local businesses and individuals who donated to the silent auction.  

Through the continued generosity of sponsors, donors, and attendees, the Biddeford Education Foundation remains committed to fostering innovation in classrooms, supporting families, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed—academically and beyond. For more information about the Biddeford Education Foundation, contact BEF President Shelley Kane at 207-391-6885.

Karen Garnett is Director of Communications for Biddeford, Saco and Dayton schools. She can be reached at kgarnett@biddefordschools.me

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