PRESQUE ISLE — This holiday season, county residents will once again have the opportunity to support cancer care locally while celebrating, honoring or remembering those they love. TAMC has partnered with Clukey’s Auto Supply on this year’s Lights of Life project.
“This marks the sixth year that we are holding our Lights of Life event to raise awareness and support for area cancer services, ultimately benefiting our friends, neighbors and loved ones who are battling this disease,” said Jason Parent, TAMC’s director of advancement. “We are thrilled to be able to partner with Clukey’s Auto Supply this year. With their support, we will be able to bring this project beyond Presque Isle to Caribou and Houlton, as well. We are particularly pleased to honor Tom Clukey, an individual who gave so much of his time and heart to this community.”
Gail Clukey was quick to step up and fill the need for a new business partner for this year’s project. Not only is this year’s event being held in honor of her late husband, but Tom was treated at Aroostook Cancer Care as he battled his illness.
“While Tom ultimately lost his battle with cancer earlier this year, we really appreciated the compassionate care he received here at home from the staff at TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care,” said Gail. “That is why we are giving back this holiday season by partnering with TAMC on Lights of Life.”
Through Lights of Life, individuals can purchase lights to remember or honor survivors, family and friends of survivors, caregivers and others. Lights may be purchased any time now through Dec. 31 in person at a Clukey’s Auto Supply location in Presque Isle, Caribou or Houlton or online at www.tamc.org. The names of those being honored, as well as the names of those purchasing the lights, will be displayed at Clukey’s Auto Supply and on the TAMC website.
White lights are being sold for $10, red ($25), yellow ($50), green ($75), blue ($100) and orange ($150). Donations once again benefit TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care. This year gifts are being designated to help create a fund to provide support to patients in need, offering assistance for expenses such as travel for those undergoing treatment for this devastating disease.
Gail knows better than most the true value that funds raised through this campaign mean to patients. Funds collected last year were used to buy new patient chairs in the treatment area.
“Tom spent a lot of time in those chairs during treatment,” she said. “The new chairs really made a difference in his level of comfort.”
This project is special to Gail not only because of the connection to Aroostook Cancer Care, but also as a way to honor her husband’s feelings during the holiday season.
“Tom was very appreciative of our customers and really wanted to give back during this time of year. He always did a commercial this time of year, not to promote the business, but to thank people,” said Gail. “He loved this community and really put his heart into service through the Shriners and other organizations to benefit others. What better way to honor him than to do the same.”
The Lights of Life tree, which will be located outside of Clukey’s Auto Supply on Main Street in Presque Isle, will be lit during a brief ceremony during the annual Holiday Lights Parade Saturday, Dec. 7. In addition to the ceremony, community members are invited to an open house at TAMC’s North Street Healthcare Center from 5-6 p.m. that evening. They can stop in for a hot drink, to get warm, and to learn more about the Lights of Life project, as parade entries line up outside. This year’s parade is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., an hour earlier than in previous years.
For more information on the Lights of Life or to purchase a light, visit www.tamc.org or contact the TAMC Communications and Development office at 768-4012.
