ASHLAND, Maines – Progress is being made to raise funds for a new Ashland playground, thanks to the generosity of local citizens.
“We had a very generous donation from Jason Bouchard, a local Ashland logging contractor, who owns a sporting lodge. He donated a free weekend at Chandler Lake Camps, including a scenic plane ride over the North Maine Woods,” said Andrea White, chairperson of the Ashland Playground Committee.
White said raffle tickets are currently being sold for $10 each. The drawing is scheduled for a later date.
“The lucky winner will get the chance to enjoy a weekend at camp, as well as a great plane ride,” said White.
Also selling raffle tickets for the cause will be Ashland Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops, as a way to earn their Silver Awards for community service.
“Jodi Reese, Scout leader for Troop 241, has told me how excited the girls are to be able to lend a hand in the fund-raising process. Tickets can be purchased at Orion Timberlands, Seven Islands Land Company, Reflections Salon and Norstate Federal Credit Union – Ashland branch,” said White.
Chandler Lake Camps is a great option for those who enjoy the outdoors, for hunting, fishing or family vacations. Guides are available for those interested in a bit of experienced help when trekking through the North Maine Woods. Located in Township 9, Range 8 in Aroostook County, the camps are roughly 30 miles from Mount Katahdin. For more information on the camps, visit www.chandlerlakecamps.com.
Tim Tarr, 8, of Ashland, with a bit of help from his mom, made five big batches of cookies and sold them at various games held at Ashland schools this year, with proceeds going toward the playground fund.
“Tim sold them for 50 cents each. Other parents were so impressed with his community spirit that they offered to help in his fund-raising efforts by baking cookies also,” said White. “When I asked him why he did it, he said he just wanted kids to have a better playground to play on.”
Tarr presented White with a bag of cash from his labors totaling around $35.
This isn’t the first time, however, that an Ashland youth has contributed to the project. Earlier this year Micayla Driscoll chose to use her birthday as a way to raise money for the playground.
“Micayla held a birthday party and collected money for the playground instead of accepting gifts. She and her mother, Teri-Lyn Driscoll, felt that this would be a better use of gift money,” said White.
White added that the Driscolls felt that since Victoria Basso was in her class, that this would be a great way for Micayla and her friends to pay tribute to their friend.
“Micayla is excited about the construction of the new playground. She’s already busy planning to have another party for all the people who donated money to join her there once it’s finished,” said White.
In all, Micayla raised $160 for the project.
“I hope more kids will jump on the bandwagon. We need more kids out there like Tim Tarr and Micayla Driscoll,” said White.
For more information about the playground project , e-mail whitehouse6363@verizon.net.
