It's school vacation week, that means the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor is extra busy.
Tuesday a lot of folks from Washington County made the trek to the museum, because a Washington County company was paying the bill for admission.
"What would you do if you're weren't here right now? Just watch TV."
So Josalyn Hall's mom decided drive to Bangor from their home in Eastport to spend the day at the Maine Discovery Museum.
"It's great keeps her busy keeps her energy level going."
"We were up at the tournaments actually supporting Calais. Go Calais."
January Carr decided to stop by with her daughter Kaylyn in between basketball tournament games.
These two kids and all others from Washington County, got a treat when they stopped by. They got in for free thanks to the owner of Whitney Wreath of Machias.
"I brought my kids here one time and they just ran themselves ragged."
David Whitney agreed to pay the admission for every child from Washington County. It's not only a gift to the kids, but also to the museum which has seen fewer visitors over the years.
"This is a treasure this Discovery Museum we have here in Bangor, going on 10 years. I just thought it was time to step up and support the museum and the kids of Washington County."
Museum Executive Director, Andrea Stark says, "It's the first time we've had a day like this. This was really unique and we love Whitney Wreath for setting such a great example."
The museum relies on sponsorships and grants like this one, to keep the doors open. They hope other businesses will now step up with similar gifts.
The Whitney Wreath day proves, it's appreciated by young and old alike.
"Hey what do you think of this place? It's really fun."
Snowe Honors Whitney Wreath of Machias for Assisting Efforts to Combat Breast Cancer, Autism
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recently highlighted the accomplishments of Whitney Wreath in Machias on the Senate floor, emphasizing the company’s efforts to help fight breast cancer and autism. In her December 9th statement, Senator Snowe spoke about the company’s “magnanimous work” to give a portion from sales of their holiday wreaths to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Autism Association. Each week the Senate is in session, Senator Snowe recognizes the tremendous achievements of a small business from Maine in her remarks, which are published in the Congressional Record.
Attached is a photo of Andrew Varisco (L), Maine Staff Assistant to Senator Snowe, presenting David Whitney (R), the company’s founder, with a printed copy of the statement.
The full text of Senator Snowe’s remarks follow:
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, one of the great symbols of the winter holiday season we are just beginning is the wreath. Between the beautiful green needles and the fragrant smell, wreaths are reminders of a simpler time. And nowhere is the wreath more emblematic than my home State of Maine. Indeed, Maine is the largest producer of balsam fir wreaths in America, owed in large part to the tree’s prevalence in our State’s landscape. Furthermore, sales of these stunning wreaths contribute millions of dollars to the Maine economy. In recognition of these critical facts, I rise to honor the Whitney Wreath company, a renowned small business headquartered in Washington county.
Whitney Wreath is in its 21st season of producing fragrant and vivid green wreaths for display during the winter holidays. The company was started in 1988 when David Whitney, the company’s founder, sold handmade wreaths from the back of a pickup truck during his teenage years. Two decades later, Whitney Wreath is now America’s largest mail-order wreath company, selling its products through its own website, as well as several other catalogues and outlets including QVC. Incredibly, its wreath sales are now in the hundreds of thousands each year. The company has nine facilities throughout the State, and is in the process of building a tenth to improve productivity. And this year, despite the turbulence in our Nation’s economy and an uncertain employment picture, Whitney Wreath was able to hire 250 additional employees over last season because of a substantial new contract.
Decorated with a range of colorful and timely ornaments, such as pine cones, Maine blueberries, sleigh bells, and of course bright red bows, Whitney’s wreaths are nothing short of spectacular. Made using fresh Maine balsam fir, the smell of a Whitney wreath is unmistakable, and an outstanding symbol of the season it represents. The company also manufactures a range of Christmas centerpieces and the unique Maine Kissing Ball, consisting of “snow” covered pine cones combined with brilliant red berries.
Whitney Wreath has been celebrated over the years for its commitment to quality wreaths. In 2007, the Small Business Administration honored the company with its Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year award because of the company’s efforts to be involved in the community and provide critical employment opportunities to the citizens of Downeast Maine. The award also paid homage to David Whitney’s other small businesses, Whitney’s Blueberries and Whitney’s Tool Shed.
Finally, in the spirit of the holiday season, it is fitting to acknowledge the magnanimous work Whitney Wreath is doing to support our Nation’s breast cancer survivors. Last year, the company asked Facebook users to join the fight against breast cancer – and for every 20 people that joined, Mr. Whitney pledged to bring special wreaths with pink ribbons to survivors of the disease. On December 22, 2008, after almost 500 people took his message to heart, David Whitney arrived at Cancer Care of Maine in Brewer with 30 special wreaths.
This year, Mr. Whitney has promised to donate 25 percent of every breast cancer awareness wreath purchased to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The company has also announced that it will donate 20 percent of the proceeds from the sales of its Original Christmas Wreaths to the National Autism Association. As we work to combat these terrible illnesses, I am proud to have caring and thoughtful individuals like David Whitney doing their own part to encourage and support those afflicted.
A Downeast staple for nearly a quarter of a century, Whitney Wreath has become a leader in its field by combining attention to detail and concern for the community. I thank David Whitney and everyone at Whitney Wreath for all they do to lift our spirits during the holiday season, and wish them many more years of success.
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Whitney Wreath Lands L.L. Bean's Holiday Wreath Business
New Contract Brings Additional Jobs to Northern and Eastern Maine
David Whitney, president and owner of Whitney Wreath in Machias, announced today that Whitney Wreath has been selected as the provider of balsam products for the 2009 L.L. Bean holiday catalog. Winning this competitive selection process establishes Whitney Wreath as the largest mail-order Christmas wreath company in the United States.
“This is great news for our successful business in Washington County,” said David Whitney today. “Since 1988 we have worked hard to establish Whitney Wreath as the premier wreath company of Maine and this contract with L.L.Bean validates all that we have worked for. We have loyal, hard working employees year round that have helped this happen, and I cannot say enough about our seasonal employees who are committed to producing the finest wreaths and other balsam products for the company.”
"We are pleased to be working with Whitney Wreath to provide quality balsam products to our customers this Christmas season. We are doubly pleased to be supporting the Maine balsam business in Washington County." Mark Fasold, Sr VP & Chief Financial Officer.
Whitney Wreath estimates that several full time employees, approximately 20 eight month positions and an additional 250 seasonal workers will be required for the increased productiondemand throughout the company’s seasonal décor and wreath producing facilities. Whitney Wreath has four facilities in Maine: Machias, Crawford, Indian Township and Presque Isle.
“Adding another 250 jobs this fall is a great boost to the region’s economy,” added Whitney. “I am pleased Whitney Wreath was selected by L.L. Bean to be part of its national sales effort, but most significant to me is the positive economic impact these jobs will have on our rural communities in Washington and Aroostook counties.”
About L.L.Bean, Inc.
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multi-channel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. While its business has grown substantially, the company remains committed to the same honest principles upon which it was built - a focus on the customer, continuous product improvement and innovation, respect for people, preservation of the natural environment and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. The 220,000 sq.ft. flagship campus of stores in Freeport, Maine is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than three million visitors each year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide on www.llbean.com
About Whitney Wreath
Whitney Wreath is one of the largest producers of fresh holiday wreaths and home decorations in the nation. Started in 1984 on the back of owner’s, David Whitney, pick-up truck; Whitney’s has been providing fresh, full balsam wreaths to families throughout the United States for more than 25 years. In 2007 Whitney was awarded the U.S. Small Business Administration Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year in Maine. More about Whitney Wreath can be found at www.whitneywreath.com.
A Machias Entrepreneur
Letter to the Editor, Machias Valley News Observer
Published August 19, 2009
The recent newspaper articles announcing the awarding of the L.L. Bean wreath contract to Whitney Wreaths is a signal that risk-taking and investment are alive and well in Downeast Maine. I applaud David Whitney for putting his money and his talents into a venture that will not only create much needed jobs but will also improve the efficiency of the wreath business. The new building under construction on Route 1 just south of Machias will announce to all of Maine and even the rest of the world that there are good reasons for doing business with a Washington County entrepreneur.
During a past Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” event held at Whitney’s Tool Shed, Mr. Whitney and his staff showcased their assembly line production methods for producing top quality wreaths for the mail-order market. Whitney Wreaths has clearly used this process to develop a first-rate reputation for excellence, which is undoubtedly why his company continues to thrive and grow. When the new building is completed the wreath making efficiency demonstrated to the chamber of commerce members can only be enhanced.
As a second career school teacher who made the Machias area home, I see a real need to create a place where families can live and work and not just vacation and retire. Therefore, I encourage everyone to thank Whitney Wreaths for taking this courageous step that will mean more jobs and an improved working environment for the dedicated citizens of Downeast Maine.
Wayne A. Peters
Roque Bluffs
Dear Editor
Letter to the Editor, Machias Valley News Observer
Published August 19, 2009
Those of us who live and work in Washington County are fully aware of just how fragile our local economy is. Although times may be challenging, business opportunities do still exist for those who take the initiative to access valuable free resources located right here in our county. As Executive Director of Sunrise County Economic Council, it is my duty and pleasure to help identify and match services and resources to meet the needs of Washington County businesses. Regardless of size, SCEC believes the more competitive our businesses are, the stronger we are as a county. The stronger Washington County is, the more we will be able to grow. The more we grow, the more employees we hire. The more people with jobs, the more dollars are available to infuse the local economy.
Most recently, SCEC and other resource providers have assisted Whitney Wreath in its efforts to expand, which will lead to more employment opportunities throughout our county. This expansion is a long-term investment in the regional wreath-making industry, one that will allow Whitney’s to streamline processes, which in turn will lead to increased production as well as a more competitive edge in the nationwide marketplace. We commend Whitney Wreath for their strong entrepreneurial spirit. Their investment is one that is sure to bring positive economic growth to Washington County.
Harold Clossey
Executive Director, Sunrise County Economic Council
