Raffle winners announced

    HOULTON — The recent drawings for the Health Services Foundation’s Seventh Annual Diamond Raffle saw another big success for this fundraiser and once again the prizes did not go very far, at least none left the state of Maine.  
    This year, Margaret Cummings of Cape Elizabeth was the winner of the diamond ring. Heather Harrison of Woodstock, NB, a nurse supervisor at Houlton Regional Hospital, won the pearl necklace with gold pendant, and Nancy Ellis of Houlton the hot diamond bracelet.  
    “What is amazing is that in the last six years the ring has never left the local area, and even though this year it went a little further, it did not leave the State of Maine. Margaret also has a wonderful story that goes along with her dad buying the diamond raffle ticket for her,” said Elizabeth Dulin, foundation director.  
    Cummings said she felt grateful to be the winner.
    “As the very lucky winner of the fabulous diamond ring raffled by the Health Services Foundation, I want to let you know how appreciative I am to be wearing this ring.  It brought great joy to my family as we are all recovering from the loss of our mother, Loretta Lyons,” Cummings told foundation director Dulin. “We have all wrestled with emotion and sadness over the past months, particularly my father, Richard Lyons, who feels the emptiness at home even more than the rest of us. He has bought a ticket for the diamond ring every year, and this year in mother’s absence he bought the ticket in my name. Winning this gorgeous ring this year  gave my family cause to celebrate! We were all giddy with excitement and delight. The greatest joy seemed to be that of my father, who was actually happy for the first time in months! When my sister said she wished Mom knew about this, I smiled and replied ‘I think she does.’ She was an extraordinary person in life and now she is an exceptional angel, still looking out for us all just as she always did.  
    Cummings’ said her mother, Loretta, spent a lot of time at Houlton Hospital over the past couple of years where she was treated by a caring and competent staff.
    “It gives me even greater pleasure to know that the raffle proceeds benefit our local hospital in providing much needed funds for improvements and expensive new equipment,” Cummings added. “This has been a win-win situation for everyone! And when people comment on what a beautiful ring it is, I just love to tell them ‘we won it in a raffle’ and then tell my little story which makes the ring that much more special!”
    The winning name was drawn on Valentine’s Day at the Courtyard Café.
    “The special atmosphere along with the great courtesy extended to everyone by Café owner Joyce Transue and her staff always makes the drawing such a delightful occasion,” said Dulin. “One hour before the drawing, those who attended, were treated to “l’amore de chocolat” (translated into “love of chocolate”) while waiting for the final moment. Phil of the Courtyard wait staff drew the lucky winning tickets, and even though only three winners were chosen, everyone wins in terms of the healthcare needs that are supported by the Foundation.”  
    Dulin also expressed appreciation to Walter Goodrich, Goodrich Jewelry owner, for his support.
    “The Foundation is always so grateful to Walter Goodrich, of Goodrich Jewelry, for working with us year after year and having the items on display at the store,” she said. “We are still delighted that we can continue to offer three prizes so there is a chance for more than one prizewinner. Walter, and board/committee members work very hard to ensure that this event is a huge success in terms of all those who will benefit from this fundraiser.”
    Dulin said they’re already looking forward to next year’s diamond raffle.
    “Everyone is still in favor of continuing this fun fundraising event. Even though the ticket price went to $25 no one ever complained about it, as they know when the Foundation is trying to raise money it is because it is for a ‘really good cause.’,” she said.
    With this year’s raffle, over $7,000 was raised and the proceeds will support Phase II of the Foundation’s $1M Nuclear Medicine Project for Houlton Regional Hospital.
    “Phase I was a huge success as diamond proceeds from previous raffles assisted with the Foundation’s ability to present a check to the hospital in the amount $302,000 for a state-of-the-art nuclear medicine imaging camera. Equipment was purchased at no cost to the hospital. What a very special day it was when the new equipment arrived because it continues the Foundation’s mission of ‘Excellence in Healthcare’ to all those we serve, but now we must continue the journey with the expansion/renovation of the current nuclear medicine department with a goal of $700,000 over the next two years to make the space a reality,” continued Dulin. “We are so grateful for the continued and great response every year for this fundraiser.  Those living in the communities who benefit from all the Foundation’s fundraisers truly understand what it is we are trying to do when we take on campaigns for our local non-profit healthcare providers.  They know we are doing the very best we can for our providers by assisting with funding for state-of-the-art equipment, and crucial healthcare projects/programs.  The expansion and renovation of the nuclear medicine department will aid in giving our patients the comfort and privacy they so rightly deserve.”  
    For more information regarding Foundation fundraisers, programs/projects, please contact the Foundation Office at 521-2147 or 521-2503 or visit www.healthservicesfoundation.org.