By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
Sheila Gustafson, of New Sweden, continued her lucky streak, winning the bird feeder built by Bill Landes and raffled off during the Andy Santerre Sno-Run earlier this year.
Contributed photo
Sheila Gustafson, of New Sweden, won the bird feeder built by Bill Landes and raffled off during the Andy Santerre Sno-Run earlier this year.
“I have a friend who tells me ‘You win everything.’ The last thing I won was a pellet stove — a prize I’d only bought one ticket for,” said Gustafson.
That wasn’t the case for her latest lucky entry.
“I bought some for myself and some for my mom — five each — purchased at the Aroostook Centre Mall,” said Gustafson.
Due to scheduling problems, Gustafson had to wait over a month from the time her name was drawn at the annual fundraiser for AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services before she could actually pick up her prize. She finally was able to meet with event organizer Joe Chamberlain and Landes at County Sports in Caribou recently to accept her prize.
Gustafson said she will incorporate the feeder into some landscaping she plans to do this coming summer.
“I have a lot of yard work to do. I’ll create a place for it,” said Gustafson, as she considered how she might decorate it. “I get a lot of blue jays, chickadees. We have a lot of birds out our way. The birds can enjoy it in the daytime. I might put some lights on it as well, to add a nice touch in the yard in the evening.”
Made of blue cedar, Landes explained that the construction is done so that nails don’t show.
“It’s all handmade, with the screws hidden,” said Landes.
Chamberlain said tickets were sold for $1 each, with the feeder raising $795 for AMHC.
“The bird feeder raffle is a big part of our fund-raising effort,” said Chamberlain. “Bill’s already donated another one for next year. We’re already selling tickets.”
Last year, AMHC officials sold tickets in advance of the winter event, hoping to raise even more funds for the agency to be able to assist victims of sexual assault — especially children.
“We sold tickets at the fair — gave us a good head start,” said Chamberlain, noting April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Chamberlain credits Landes for his continued support of the organization.
“He’s been building these feeders and donating one for us to raffle for several years now. He’s also donating a portion of the sales of his bird feeders to AMHC, provided the buyer mentions the agency,” said Chamberlain.
For more information or to make a donation, visit www.amhc.org or call 800-871-9276.
