Staff Writer
With less than a month to go, organizers of the 5th annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run are busy gathering items to be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting AMHC’s sexual assault awareness efforts.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
This minature sled is being raffled off to benefit AMHC and the organization’s efforts to spread awareness of sexual assault and educate the public on ways to prevent it. The snowmobile, donated by County Sports, is on display at the Aroostook Centre Mall in Presque Isle. Tickets will be on sale between now and the fifth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run, to be held Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Caribou Inn & Convention Center. Tickets can be purchased seven days a week, at the mall or through AMHC, until the day of the drawing. The winning ticket will be drawn that evening. You do not have to be present to win. Pictured with the petite Polaris are Joe and Lorraine Chamberlain, event organizers.
Once again, the racing world has contributed numerous items for the annual fund-raiser.
“We have received a number of charity auction items from Dale Earnhardt Inc., Hendrick Motorsports and Roush-Fenway Racing, to name a few,” said Joe Chamberlain, event organizer.
Chamberlain said some of the items are rather unique this year.
“One of the more notable items is the sheet metal side from the number 8 Busch East car driven by Jeffery Earnhardt who is the grandson of seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt. We also have some sheet metal parts from the number 17 driven by Matt Kenseth, thanks to good friend Steve Doody, of Washburn, who transports that racecar to shows all over the country promoting Kenseth and Roush-Fenway Racing,” said Chamberlain.
“Another item I’ve acquired for the auction from a good friend that works at Hendrick Motorsports is a Bell helmet that is autographed by Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick and Mark Martin,” he continued.
Chamberlain said it’s “almost impossible to get all those autographs, let alone just one of them.”
Locally, County Sports Polaris in Caribou has donated a Youth 120 Polaris snowmobile valued at $2,249.
“We’re selling raffle tickets on the sled and will continue to do so in the days leading up to the auction,” said Chamberlain.
Tickets can be purchased at the Aroostook Centre Mall, where the sled is on display, or by contacting AMHC. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. The winning ticket will be drawn Feb. 7, the night of the dinner and auction, and ticket holders need not be present to win.
“Tickets can also be purchased at County Sports Polaris,” he said.
Tickets for the event itself are going fast, said Chamberlain.
“The event has sold out in past years, so get your tickets ASAP by calling Pam Wyman at 498-6431.
Chamberlain said a number of sponsors have teamed up with AMHC this year.
“This year several new sponsors have joined us to battle sexual assault of children in Aroostook County. They are: S.W. Collins, T.D. Banknorth, Griffeth Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Pensotti North America and Citadel Communications,” said Chamberlain.
AMHC has confirmed that in addition to Santerre, four-time Busch North Series champion, the following racing pros will be joining the event this year: Matt Kobyluck, 2008 Camping World East Series champion; Mike Olsen, 2001 and 2006 Busch East Series champion; Brian Ickler, Busch East driver; Corey Williams, a Pro All-Star Series South driver; and Team Maine Racing, a long-range endurance snowmobile race team.
The 5th annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run charity event raises funds to fight youth sexual assault. Funds earned at the 2008 Sno-Run helped AMHC Sexual Assault Services provide prevention and advocacy services to twice as many youth than in 2007. The event will be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center. The cost for the charity ride is $30 and $25 for the dinner/charity auction. For tickets, call AMHC at 498-6431. To view a partial list of auction items, visit www.amhc.org.
