Vintage automobile highlights local charity auction

    HOULTON — The Health Services Foundation recently received some exciting news when it became the recipients of a vintage 1962 Triumph Convertible generously donated by local business owner Walter Goodrich. The donation is in support of the Foundation’s current Digital Mammography campaign.
    “Rather than raffle off this great car, a decision was made to build an auction around the vehicle, making it the highlight of an evening auction,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation executive director.
    Plans were put into motion and the auction is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at the York’s of Houlton showroom. The classic automobile is just one of many items to be auctioned off that night.
    “More information will be forthcoming regarding the final details of the night, but right now we want people to know this is happening and save the date for a very exciting evening of wonderful things to be showcased,” she said.
    An interesting challenge goal was set when the Foundation received its first donation from outside the state of Maine — a signed print from Will Moses of Mt. Nebo, N.Y. to be put into the auction. Moses is a descendant of grandma Moses and this work is titled “Dr. Moses Stops By.”
    “This is a very intricate, detailed print, of which only 1,000 prints were made, and the plates have been destroyed,” Dulin said. “This is an absolutely fabulous item and we were so fortunate to receive this donation.  With that, Digital Campaign Committee members, in support of this fundraising effort, accepted a challenge to have something artistic represented from all 50-states. The slogan for the auction could then be ‘The County Cares and the Country Cares about the County.’”
    Since the challenge went out the Foundation has been successful in acquiring items from over one fourth of the United States and the territory of Guam.
    “We will keep asking folks if they know of anyone in the different states we haven’t acquired works from who may be able to assist us in reaching the goal, and hopefully by auction night all 50 states will be represented”, Dulin said.
File Photo
DONATES CAR — Walter Goodrich of Houlton donated a 1962 Triumph convertible for this year’s Health Services Foundation fund-raising auction.
    Parting with the vintage automobile was not an easy decision for Goodrich. He stated that he had had owned the car for over 45 years and wanted to see it go to someone else now who could enjoy it as much as he had. Goodrich noted that he doesn’t have the time to use it as much as he used to in the past, and thought about the seriousness of the Foundation’s current campaign to fight breast cancer by bringing digital mammography equipment to the local area and felt there was no better place he wanted it to go.  Someone else will now get to enjoy it and raise funds for a very worthy cause in the process. 
    “Walter has a long, distinguished association with the Foundation as a trustee as well as being President and Vice President of the Foundation and has been an unwavering supporter of all the foundation has been involved with,” Dulin said.
    The Foundation’s current fundraising goal is to bring Digital Mammography to the local area, in support of earlier detection of breast cancer.  This campaign will support an effort to raise $385, 000 for purchase of state-of-the-art technology for Houlton Regional Hospital.
    “For women and men facing the difficult reality of a new breast cancer diagnosis, having access to the latest screening technology is absolutely critical, and the Foundation must play a big part in ensuring local medical professionals have the necessary equipment for superior diagnosis in the field of breast cancer,” Dulin said. “State-of-the-art digital mammography will allow for peace of mind knowing that leading edge technology will be available locally in the fight against this very serious disease as well as alleviate the added burden of long distance travel for screenings. We know that the earlier someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, the better their chance of surviving it.  Digital Mammography is far superior to film screening by delivering quicker, more efficient imaging, which provide physicians with extremely detailed detection information regarding the size and location of abnormalities.”
    For more information regarding the Foundation, call 207-521-2147 or visit thew website at www.healthservicesfoundation.org.