Houlton Rotary donates to Aid for Kids cause

    HOULTON — The Houlton Rotary recently donated $5,000 to The “Other Maine” Project of Aid for Kids. Aid for Kids is a nonprofit organization founded by Houlton’s own Dawn Degenhardt and has been fueled by the energy of many local volunteers. The “Other Maine” Project focuses on helping Northern Maine children cope with the financial hardships of growing up in the “Other Maine,” the rural area north of Maine’s more prosperous coastal and urban areas.
    The organization is working cooperatively with several vendors and manufacturers to acquire new, discontinued or overrun products free of charge. To take advantage of this free material, Aid for Kids must pay shipping and take very large quantities of merchandise at one time. Rotary’s donation will go to covering shipping for tens of thousands of dollars of new clothing, shoes, and necessary household items. These products will all land in Southern Aroostook and find their way into the hands of local children. The donation will also help put quality, age-appropriate books into the homes of area children.
Contributed photo
DONATION — The Houlton Rotary Club recently donated $5,000 to the “Other Maine” project. Taking part in the presentation are, from left, Marilyn Roper, volunteer office staff of Aid for Kids; Heidi Abbotoni, board member for Aid for Kids; Danette Ellis, volunteer director of the “Other Maine” Project; and Scott Dionne, Houlton Rotary president.