Lowe’s ‘shamrock moose’ an MDA fundraiser
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Employees at the Presque Isle Lowe’s have taken the company’s motto of “Let’s Build Something Together” to a new level, constructing a moose entirely out of shamrocks — mobiles sold this time of year to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association — with the goal of raising more than last year’s total of $3,800.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
MOOSE FUNDRAISER FOR MDA — A moose made of green, gold and silver shamrocks decorates the interior wall at Lowe’s, located on Maysville Street in Presque Isle — part of an annual Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser. Store staff have set a goal of $5,500 this year, hoping to pass last year’s total of $3,800 raised for the non-profit agency that provides assistance to individuals with various forms of muscular dystrophy. Pictured in front is Adam MacDonald, a Presque Isle resident who suffers from Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. In back from left are: Brittany Cray, store employee, who created the design; and store employees Dan Ballanger, Jon Curtis and Ryan Doescher.
“Sales of the Shamrocks as of last Friday, March 11, totaled $2,439. We’d like to beat last year’s total of $3,800. This year we’ve set a goal of $5,500,” said Brenda Saucier, department manager and customer service administrator.
Saucier said staff at the various Lowe’s stores nationwide compete with other stores to see which branch can raise the most money for MDA. Money is raised through the sale of paper shamrocks which are available at the cash register for customers to purchase, with proceeds going to raise funds and awareness of muscular dystrophy — a group of genetic, degenerative diseases primarily affecting voluntary muscles. Green shamrocks sell for $1 and are the most frequently purchased, followed by gold ones for $5 and silver for donations of $20 and above.
“The stores get creative, with most creating a design using the shamrocks customers have purchased,” said Saucier.
Brittany Cray, who works at the Presque Isle store, is the designer of this year’s creation, a life-sized bull moose whose body is made of the green shamrocks, while the antlers consist of gold ones.
“We typically sell fewer silver ones, so those I used for the eye and hooves. The store number, 2209, was also done in green shamrocks,” said Cray. “I believe a dragon was done downstate, but we thought a moose was more fitting for the County.”
Cray said once the design was chosen, it didn’t take long to put together.
“It took about two days, with more shamrocks added since then to help fill it out,” Cray said.
Saucier said public response has been great.
“People have been hearing about it and actually come to the store to see the moose. It’s helped boost sales of the shamrocks,” said Saucier.
Cheryl Markey and her son Adam MacDonald, who suffers from Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, are no strangers to MDA fundraisers.
“Adam’s been doing shamrocks since he was an MDA poster child in South Carolina in 1990,” said Cheryl Markey, of Presque Isle. “We usually try to do something special for the folks at Lowe’s for doing this each year. We’re hoping to get something lined up for the staff, once the fundraiser is over.”
Saucier said although the fundraiser typically runs only through St. Patrick’s Day week — hence the shamrock — her store plans to continue raising funds through the end of the month.
“We’re going to continue with the fundraiser through April 1. All the money raised goes to help local kids — sends local kids to camp,” said Saucier. “We’re hoping by extending our fund-raising efforts through the end of March, we’ll be able to reach our goal of $5,500.”
The moose can be viewed during business hours at the Maysville Street store. The design is located inside the facility on the front wall.
