United Mid-Coast Charities will distribute $547,000 to 58 nonprofit organizations in Knox and Waldo Counties this year. Allocations were approved by UMCC’s directors during the organization's annual meeting, Aug. 17, 2016. The funds will be distributed in September.

In other business, John Viehman of Rockport was elected to serve as president. Former president Steve Crane, who is stepping down after leading the organization for two years, will continue to serve on the board.

Also chosen to serve on UMCC’s executive committee were Peter Horch, first vice president; John Burgess, second vice president; Jill Lang, secretary, and Tom Rodman, treasurer. The remaining board members are Eric Belléy, Steve Crane, Lucile Hanscom, Tyler Jones, Elinor Klivans, Allen Mitchell, Debbie Mitchell, Peter Palermo, Joan Phaup, Betsy Saltonstall and Eric Waters.

“Steve Crane has done an inspiring job of leading UMCC through a very challenging time over the last couple of years,” said Viehman. “He’s made sure that UMCC not only is on sound footing but staged for accomplishing great things for many years to follow. As incoming president, I’m proud to continue our 75-year tradition of supporting the vitally important work provided by dozens of service agencies in Knox and Waldo counties.”

The following non-profit agencies will receive funds from UMCC this year: American Red Cross Mid-Coast Chapter, The Apprenticeshop, Area Interfaith Outreach, Belfast Area Child Care Services, Belfast Public Health Nursing Association, Belfast Soup Kitchen, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, Broadreach Family & Community Services, Camden Area Christian Food Pantry, Expanding Opportunities: Camp Forest, Care Partners, Coastal Family Hospice Volunteers, Coastal Opportunities, Come Spring Food Pantry, Cornerspring Montessori School, The Game Loft, Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County, Herring Gut Learning Center, Home to ME, Hospice Volunteers of Waldo County, Knox County Homeless Coalition: Hospitality House, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care & Hospice, Knox County Health Clinic, LifeFlight Foundation, Literacy Volunteers of Waldo County, Maine Family Planning, Make-A-Wish® Maine, MCH Meals on Wheels, Merryspring Nature Center, Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, Midcoast Recreation Center, MONEY Athletic Foundation, New Hope for Women, OUT As I Want To Be, Partners for Enrichment, Penobscot Bay YMCA, Peopleplace Cooperative Preschool, Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast, Rockland District Nursing Association, Sixty-Three Washington St., The Soap Closet, Saint Bernard Soup Kitchen, Station Maine, STRIVE Northern New England, Tanglewood 4-H Camp & Learning Center, Teen & Young Parent Program of Knox County, Trekkers, University College at Rockland, Vinalhaven Eldercare Services, Vinalhaven Fuel Fund, Waldo Community Action Partners, Waldo County Dental Care, Waldo County Home Health Care & Hospice, Waldo County YMCA, Waterfall Arts, Waterman's Community Center, Wayfinder Schools: Passages Program, and Youth Arts.

Founded in 1942, UMCC raises designated and undesignated funds that, in turn, are allocated to various non-profit agencies in Knox and Waldo counties. More information is available at www.unitedmidcoastcharities.org.