A Spring Gathering 2026

A Spring Gathering

The FCS 2026 Spring Gathering took place on Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. in the Leon A. Gorman Conference Center at L.L. Bean Corporate Campus Headquarters on Casco Street in Freeport.

The evening featured special guest speaker Barton Seaver and the presentation of the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Award. The event was sponsored by L.L.Bean, Maine Beer Company and Zachau Construction. Pianist Bess Jacques provided musical entertainment. Guests enjoyed generous appetizers, NA drinks, and a dessert bar. A signature cocktail from Freeport Oyster Bar and Maine Beer Company pours were also available.

2026 Photo Gallery
Our 2026 Special Guest
Barton Seaver

This year’s event featured special guest speaker Barton Seaver, leading sustainable seafood expert and educator, and co-author of the BLUE FOOD Cookbook, and the presentation of the Neighbor Helping Neighbor Award.

2026 Neighbor Helping Neighbor Award

Freeport Community Services’ Neighbor Helping Neighbor Award recognizes individuals and organizations within the Freeport/Pownal community that have consistently demonstrated exceptional support for FCS and gone above and beyond to help those in need.

This year, FCS presented two Neighbor Helping Neighbor Awards.

We were honored to recognize Chris O’Neil and Maine Beer Company.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

2026 Community Circle Sponsors

Alex Abbott & Jennifer Melville

Beth Ahearn & Chris O’ Neil

Dale & Stacey Akeley

Paul & Andrew Aliapoulis

Dede & David Bennell

Blake Biles & Laura Sessums

Mary Berry & Dave Cluchey

Michael Boucher & Elizabeth Patten

John and Candy Boyne

Ed & Jane Bradley

Cameron & Patricia Bright

Judith & Stephen Brown

Tom Bull & Andy Brown

Rose Mary & Brian Burwell

Christina & Jeremy Carter

Bo Chesney & Liza Nichols

Sean Patrick Coady & Steven Belnavis

James & Anne Cram

Gloria DeGrandpre

Jim DeGrandpre

Linda & Ian Deming

Joseph & Genie Field

Annie & Greg Flewelling

Jay & Julie Flower

Don & Sharon Foerster

Christine Force & Tom Cox

Christina & Aaron Francis

Eric & Valerie Geredien

Sara & Ben Gideon

Peter & Barbara Guffin

Gordon & Judy Hamlin

Anne & Nate Hicks

Cinda & Steve Joyce

Thomas Kelley & Lucinda White

Nan & Bob Knecht

Robin & Alan Lapoint

David & Janice Latulippe

Christine LeHay & Lesa Andreasen

Heather Fraser Leonard & Patrick Leonard

Julia Lockwood & Marc Miller

John Lowe

Sarah and Mike Lundin

Deborah McLean & Cole Tamminen

Liza Moore & Arnie Macdonald

Martha Nichols

Anne & Ben Niles

Fred & Pat Palmer 

John & Dean Paterson

Lynn & Macgregor Pierce

Deb & Chris Pinkham

Denley Poor Reynolds & Matt Reynolds

Christina Semanyshyn & John Fairhurst

Jennifer & Kevin Shaw

Emily Shepard & Walt Shepard

Kelly Sink

Eric Smith

Sam & Kathryn Smith

Carol Southall

Kathleen Sullivan & Robert Stevens

James A. Sterling

Susan Tananbaum & Joe Frazer

Michael & Meredith Vilarello

Alan Weiner & Susan Lamb

Brenda & Rick White

John Willhoite & Ramona Hyszczak

Larry & Margo Williams

Pam Winters

Carol & Joe Wishcamper

Jane & Rick Woodruff

Willo & Tom Wright

Michael & Erin Zwirko

2026 Business Sponsors

GOLD

LL Bean

SILVER

Freeport Oyster Bar

BRONZE

Brown Dog Inn
Cartmell Associates of Keller Williams
Gingham
Hebert Construction
Littlefield Properties
Mare Brook Farm
Maine Optometry

Want to learn more?

We’d love to hear from you!
For more information please contact Christine Force, Director of Development & Events at 207-865-3985 x221, or by email below.

A Spring Gathering Archives

Visit the 2025 A Spring Gathering event archive.

Visit the 2024 A Spring Gathering event archive.

Visit the 2023 A Spring Gathering event archive.