OTIS FCU Donates to Spruce Mountain Ski Area for Lodge Renovations
For Immediate Release
July 26, 2024
OTIS FCU Donates to Spruce Mountain Ski Area for Lodge Renovations
JAY, Maine – OTIS Federal Credit Union has donated $10,000 to Spruce Mountain Ski Area, located in Jay. This donation brings Spruce Mountain closer to its goal of raising $25,000 to have Maine Cabin Masters renovate the ski lodge (“The Barn”). The renovation work will include improvements such as replacing doors and windows, updating the kitchen area, and converting the second floor into a usable space. The Maine Cabin Masters team will begin this renovation project around the beginning of September and plans to finish by Christmas.
The partnership between Spruce Mountain and Maine Cabin Masters to renovate the lodge came together in an unexpected way. In speaking with Ron Jacques, owner of Ski Depot in Jay and Spruce Mountain board member, this past winter the Spruce Mountain board had begun discussing necessary lodge renovations and who could potentially do the work; Maine Cabin Masters was one of the suggestions. Jacques mentioned that he personally knew Chase Morrill, owner of Kennebec Cabin Company and head of the team for the popular TV show “Maine Cabin Masters.” By chance, a few days later Jacques happened to run into Morrill in the chairlift line at Sugarloaf Mountain. Jacques mentioned the plans for the renovation work, and Morrill encouraged him to apply for consideration. The application was accepted, which included a commitment to raise $25,000 toward the project.
Regarding the decision to donate, OTIS FCU President/CEO Chris Bouchard stated, “Spruce Mountain holds a special place in the hearts of the community and OTIS staff. Otis Mill workers not only founded the Credit Union, many also volunteered their time and resources to help establish Spruce Mountain Ski Area. Supporting Spruce in their endeavors helps ensure the Mountain can be enjoyed for generations to come. It’s what makes community, well community.”
After learning of OTIS FCU’s donation to Spruce Mountain Ski Area, Jacques stated, “Over the years, OTIS Federal Credit Union has been a consistent supporter of the Mountain, not only sponsoring Free Ski Days but also providing volunteers to help. Their financial commitment to Spruce Mountain Ski Area is truly amazing.”
Spruce Mountain is owned by the adjoining towns of Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls, and was established at its current location on Ski Slope Road next to the Androscoggin River in 1956. Skiing at Spruce Mountain has been a beloved pastime for generations of area residents. Those who have spent time at the slope are affectionately known as “Spruce Kids,” and – as the local saying goes – “once a Spruce Kid, always a Spruce Kid.”
If you are a community member or local business, we encourage you to consider donating to this community cause. To learn more about Spruce Mountain Ski Area, please visit https://sprucemountainmaine.wordpress.com/. Donations can be made through GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-spruce-mountain-ski-area-raise-remodel-the-barn.
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Media Inquiries
Please direct all media inquiries to Kimberly Couture, Director of Marketing and Communications, at (207) 320-4985, or email KimberlyC@otisfcu.coop.
About OTIS Federal Credit Union
OTIS Federal Credit Union was founded in April of 1954 by eleven local millworkers. Pooling their respective deposits of $5 each, they associated themselves as charter members of OTIS under the provision of the Federal Credit Union Act. At a time in America when obtaining a loan was difficult for the average family, the founders of OTIS sought to form a cooperative, independent financial institution operated and controlled solely by its local membership.
Since its inception, OTIS has been committed not only to providing quality financial products and services to its shareholders, but to giving back to the community. Today, OTIS is a full-service financial center offering real estate, auto, and personal lending; digital banking; a variety of checking, savings, and investment accounts; credit cards; financial planning; and much more. OTIS serves more than 11,000 members and holds over $250 million in assets. We proudly serve the counties of Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset, and York. The Credit Union is located at 170 Main Street in Jay, Maine. For more information, please visit www.otisfcu.coop or call (207) 897-0900.