About Us

 The mission of the Hollandstrong Community Foundation is to honor the legacy of Michael Holland, who was tragically lost at sea aboard the SS El Faro in October 2015, by giving back to the communities that supported his family during the loss of a child. The foundation will strive to provide resources to the communities of RSU 9, MSAD 52, and RSU 73 that will foster our youth and give them opportunities for growth in several areas including but not limited to academics and sports.
 

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Who Was Michael?

Michael Holland was a lifelong resident of Maine. He was a standout athlete in both football and baseball at Jay High School. He furthered his education at Maine Maritime Academy where he graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering Technology.  Michael was a quiet, fearless leader with an eagerness to live life on the edge, experiencing all that it had to offer- without hesitation or excuses. Michael was lost at sea while working on board SS El Faro as a 3rd Assistant Engineer when the ship sank off the coast of the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin on October 1, 2015.

Our History

The scholarship fund was established in October 2015 after we received official word that Michael was lost at sea and would never be coming home again.  Our hope is to continue to offer this scholarship for many years to come in order to keep the memory of our beloved son alive.
With the creation of the Foundation, our goal is to provide other ways to give back to the Hollandstrong Communities as well. We are currently working on a fundraising project to rebuild the tennis courts at Mike's Alma Mater - Spruce Mountain (formerly Jay School)