Palermo Foundation receives Bigos donation

Palermo Community Foundation (photo by Connie Bellet)

Submitted by Connie Bellet

PALERMO, ME — The Living Communities Foundation has received a generous donation of $3,000 from Michael Bigos, son of Ted and Jeanne Bigos, of Palermo. Michael Bigos, an attorney living in Auburn, has donated the funds to honor his father and late mother, who were founding members of the foundation, originally called the Palermo Community Foundation. The Bigos family was active in civic and community service in Palermo, also being involved in building the Post Home for American Legion Post #163, as well as the Palermo Community Center. Before he retired, Ted Bigos worked for the USDA as a loan officer, and for the Town of Palermo as its Assessor. At this time, Ted Bigos is residing at the Veterans Home, in Augusta.

The Living Communities Foundation is an all-volunteer Charitable Foundation that Ted Bigos helped become registered under IRS code 501(c)3. Its mission is to respond to the needs of the community in an adaptive, sustainable mode using traditional values, ancient wisdom, and common sense. The Palermo Community Center has been home to Palermo Online, an early Internet Service Provider; a digital learning center; an art studio; a recording studio for music and Native language preservation; the Palermo Food Pantry; and the Great ThunderChicken Drum. Programs have included classes in American Sign Language, Biblical studies, guitar and art lessons, as well as free Dinner-and-a-Movie nights.

The board of directors, officers, and volunteers of the foundation join together to thank Mr. Bigos and his family for his kind donation. It is support like this that keeps the foundation fully functional well into the difficult times we all face.