Raffle proceeds aid fire departments

by Staff Star Herald
15 years ago

Raffle proceeds aid fire departments

ASHLAND NEWS

 

by Susan Feeney-Hopkins

    Pastor Nathan Gardiner of the Union Congregational Church in Ashland used his woodworking talents to raise money for our local fire departments. Pastor Gardiner built a beautiful deacon’s bench, in the memory and honor of Ashland friend and firefighter, the late Donald O’Clair. Raffle tickets were sold around town for a chance at winning the bench. The lucky winner was Michelle Morneault. The drawing of the ticket was held during a supper put on by the church. Proceeds from the raffle and the supper were divided among our local fire departments in Ashland, Oxbow, Masardis and Portage Lake, with each department receiving $700. What a nice gesture of support to our hardworking fire department crews, and a nice token of remembrance to Mr. O’Clair. Thank you Pastor Gardiner!

 

Photos courtesy of Sharon Craig

 

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    FORMER ASHLAND FIRE CHIEF Ned LaBelle, left, accepts a $700 check from Pastor Nathan Gardiner on behalf of the Ashland Volunteer Fire Department.
 
 
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    DAVE BOLSTRIDGE, left, fire chief for the Portage Lake Volunteer Fire Department, receives a $700 check for his fire department from Pastor Nathan Gardiner of the Union Congregational Church in Ashland. Pastor Gardiner built a deacon’s bench to be raffled off with the proceeds being split between the local departments. Below, Chief Steve Sherman of the Masardis/Oxbow Fire Department, accepts the check on behalf of his fire department.
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Ashland Area Fund grants available

    The Maine Community Foundation is accepting grant applications for the Ashland Area Fund. Grant amounts are typically in the $200-$1,500 range. Established in 1999, the Maine Community Foundation makes grants to non-profit programs, organizations, schools, government agencies or municipalities. The focus will be on health care, economic development, or educational enrichment.
    Eligible communities are Portage, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville and Ashland.
    A statewide foundation with offices in Portland and Ellsworth, Maine CF partners with donors and non-profits to strengthen Maine communities through philanthropy and leadership.
    If interested, please contact Peter Taylor at 1-877-700-6800. The deadline for letters of interest is May 15. Letters should be sent to the Maine Community Foundation, 245 Main St., Ellsworth, Maine 04605.

 
Ashland Area PTO meeting

    The Ashland Area PTO will be holding its next meeting Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. Agenda topics will include Teacher Appreciation Week, the next Campbell’s Label and Box Top Contest (scheduled to take place from April 5-May 7) and the gym floor fund-raiser. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Come on out and help plan these events and more! For more information, contact Kim Holmes at 435-6043.
 

   Susan Feeney-Hopkins is the correspondent for Ashland, Portage Lake, Oxbow, Masardis, Garfield, Nashville Plantation and surrounding townships. She can be reached at 435-8232 or feenhop@aol.com.