Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – A local business with years of home-improvement experience is helping to improve life for the homeless, donating much-needed funds to Homeless Services of Aroostook.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
PRESENTATION — Cindy DuFour, manager of the Home Design Center for S.W. Collins, presents a check for $750 to Susan Mitchell, executive director of Homeless Services of Aroostook. Employees of S.W. Collins’ three locations – Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton – raised funds recently for the shelter, with the company matching the figure.
“The employees of S.W. Collins’ three locations – Caribou, Presque Isle and Houlton – donated money, with the company matching what was collected,” said Cindy Dufour, manager of the business’s Home Design Center.
Dufour presented a check for $750 to Susan Mitchell, executive director of HSA.
This isn’t the first year the business has helped make life a bit easier for displaced individuals who rely on the homeless shelter due to circumstances beyond their control.
“This is actually the second year we’ve done this. Last year we raised money and made a donation to the shelter,” said Dufour.
The donated funds will assist the agency with day-to-day necessities. Despite an unusually tough winter, complete with a record-breaking accumulation of snow, Mitchell said the shelter is “holding its own” this year.
“We got a Citizens Energy Corps grant and donations are still coming in,” said Mitchell, noting that it’s still a struggle to make ends meet, with fuel costs continually going up and daily expenses rising as necessities continue to increase in price.
Mitchell said it’s the working poor who rely on the shelter’s services.
“It’s folks who make too much to get government assistance but not enough to make ends meet,” said Mitchell. “They either qualify for all of it or nothing at all.”
In addition to monetary donations, the shelter has a wish list of needed items if anyone is interested in contributing.
“We have a staples wish list: office supplies, cleaning and paper products, meats, cheeses, consumables. One thing we do need are sturdy folding chairs. When our numbers go up, we need more chairs for the dining area,” said Mitchell.
Mitchell is grateful for donations such as that made by S.W. Collins.
“We appreciate every donation received. The money is used for the daily upkeep and maintenance of the facility and provides much-needed necessities,” said Mitchell.
Dufour said the company hopes to make this an annual fund-raiser and encouraged others to consider helping a worthy cause, such as the shelter.
“We’d like to make this an annual event. Staff really got involved. It’s nice to be able to help others,” said Dufour.
Donations can be made directly to the shelter at: Homeless Services of Aroostook, Inc., PO Box 1753, Presque Isle, ME 04769, or phone 764-5114.
