BATH — For Main Street Bath, 2014 ended on a fiscally high note.

With two days left in its annual fundraising campaign, the organization had exceeded its $60,000 goal by more than $260, Director Carolyn Lockwood said Monday.

“I am so grateful for and impressed by the incredible support from this community,” Lockwood said in an email. “The fundraising committee did a spectacular job this year and we are already looking ahead to 2015.”

This year’s campaign was aggressive, with more people asked for donations than in prior years, the former city councilor and community development coordinator explained.

“People have just been really generous,” Lockwood said.

The organization also exceeded its $4,500 Christmas fund goal by nearly $1,000, she noted. Hundreds of people aid the city’s “Old Fashioned Christmas” event by stringing lights, hanging wreaths and decorating windows; residents also help by distributing candy canes; making decorations with children and baking cookies for Santa Claus’ visit, Lockwood said.

Funds from the annual campaign go toward the salaries of Lockwood and her assistant, as well as rent paid to the city for the organization’s occupancy of the old railroad station at 15 Commercial St., now the Bath Visitor Information Center. Other sources of revenue come through grants, annual giving, and Information Center and Heritage Days events.

“One of my goals is to tell Main Street Bath’s story better,” and to explain how the organization’s funds are used, Lockwood said.

Main Street Bath was one of five organizations across the country to receive the 2012 Great American Main Street Award. The American Planning Association had previously named Bath’s Front Street one of 10 “Great Streets of 2009,” for showcasing the character and planning that go into communities of rich and lasting value.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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