Host Stella Mars speaks with Alex Gramling, founder of Christmas Tree Santas, a national nonprofit based in Maine. In conjunction with nonprofit partners, Christmas Tree Santas provides fresh cut trees to low-income and military families. Learn more at ChristmasTreeSantas.org. 

Host Stella Mars speaks with Daniel Brennan, Director of Maine Housing. He shares details about Maine's home energy assistance program (HEAP). Additionally, Dan provides information about lead paint remediation and low-cost loans available for first-time homebuyers, first-generation homebuyers, and developers.

Learn more at MECAP.org (Maine Community Action Programs) or at MaineHousing.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Joe Minard, Executive Director of Gary's House in Portland; a home away from home for those who have family members in the hospital.Learn about the history of Gary's House, about their fundraisers, and about how you can help support Gary's House.Learn more at GarysHouse.org.

Fred Forsley from Shipyard Brewing joins Stella Mars to talk about his support of Gary's House through the Forsley Award. Fred also lifts up many other non-profit organizations and events that he and his businesses help support. Learn more at Shipyard.com

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Janine Bonk, Health Educator 3 with the Maine Center for Disease Control. Janine explains the free offerings through the Maine CDC Breast and Cervical Health Program. 

For information or to enroll in the program, call 1-800-350-5180 or email [email protected].

Host Stella Mars speaks with Tammy Fournier, co-founder of The Colby Fund. Tammy is joined by Billy Smith, a parent who lost an infant.

October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. Tammy and Billy speak their personal experiences with loss. They also share the resources offered by The Colby Fund.

Learn more at The Colby Fund on facebook or here: The Colby Fund (google.com).

Host Stella Mars speaks with Attorney Margaret Groban from the Maine Gun Safety Coalition. Attorney Groban explains the difference between the Yellow Flag law and the "Red Flag" Law (also known as an Extreme Risk Protection Order).

Under a true Extreme Risk Protection Order law, family members and law enforcement are able to directly petition a court to temporarily restrict someone's access to firearms when they pose a danger to themselves or others.Attorney Grobhan shares the rationale for adopting a Red Flag Law in Maine.

In November, the Maine Gun Safety Coalition will be collecting signatures to bring the Red Flag Law  to a ballot initiative. Learn more at MaineGunSafety.org.

Maine TREE Foundation is Maine Timber Research and Environmental Education. Maine TREE educates and advocates for the sustainable use of the forest and the ecological, environmental, and social health of Maine's forest communities. Maine TREE is the leading organization in Maine, addressing challenges associated with forest workforce development and climate education while enhancing public awareness about the importance of Maine's forest resources. Host Stella Mars speaks with Executive Director, Logan Johnson. Learn about the Maine TREE Foundation at Mainetree.org.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Robbie Harrison, Education Director of Acorn Productions. Acorn Productions produces the Maine Playwrights Festival; offers adult classes on writing for theater and screen; acting; and sound design. They also offer middle school and high school programs in Maine.
Learn more at Acorn-Productions.org

Host Stella Mars speaks with folks from Good Theater in Portland. Guests Gusta Johnson, Executive Director and Brian Allen, Co-founder and Artistic Director share the vital role that Good Theater plays in the theater scene in Maine. They also share news about their new performance space and upcoming season.

Host Stella Mars speaks with Martha Stein, Executive Director of Hope Acts, a nonprofit organization in Portland Maine.

Hope Acts offers asylum seekers access to housing and basic needs, assistance in navigating complex immigration processes, and resources for learning English to help them successfully transition to a new life in Maine.

Martha shares information about services, volunteering, and a fundraiser coming up on 9/21/24. Learn more about Hope Acts at HopeActs.org.