Mars Hill students
to take part in Heidi’s Hope Serve-a-Thon
MARS HILL, Maine — This year, mid-October will be busier than usual for middle and high school students in Mars Hill as many of them will be participating in the Heidi’s Hope Serve-a-Thon. Developed by the Aroostook Aspirations Initiative (AAI), the one-day event, which combines community service and raising money for scholarships for county kids, offers four exciting projects that a wide variety of students can participate in while spending a day of fun with friends and family.
The first project focuses on cleaning up Kings Grove Cemetery, the town’s oldest and largest cemetery, located on the East Ridge Road.
A way to honor and protect the heritage throughout Aroostook, the cemetery will get some much needed attention. Students will be trimming cedar hedges, bushes, trees and cleaning up and disposing of the clippings. They will also be responsible for raking leaves, if needed, and removing old flowers/objects from graves. If time allows, particularly dirty headstones will be scrubbed free of grass, mold or mildew.
The second project involves rehabbing Blaine Hall. Although not the famous Blaine House, the governor’s home in Augusta, Blaine Hall is just as important to the residents of Blaine and Mars Hill. Those participating in the project will be painting two rooms, and sweeping and mopping the floors in the auditorium, as well as cleaning windows and walls. This will be a great day, full of history and fun.
For those who love the outdoors, come hike to the top of Big Rock, in preparation for Octoberfest and ski season. Students will spend a day sprucing up the town’s beloved mountain, cleaning up trails, organizing inventory, and doing general upkeep. This project involves a lot of outdoor activity and physical exercise, so muscle is definitely needed, but the view from the top is terrific.
For those with an artistic inclination, Aroostook students will be creating handmade Pick-Me-Up cards to distribute to the volunteers for Heidi’s Hope and to help town and school officials, and non-profit organizations across The County, spread a little unexpected cheer. This is the only project that will be done at all eight locations where the Heidi’s Hope Serve-a-Thon is being held. The project goal, across the county, is to make 3,000 cards that will be sent to police officers, firefighters, teachers, and others who make lives better and safer every day.
“Heidi’s Hope will be an opportunity for the kids in Mars Hill to come together for a common cause,” said Sandy Gauvin, president of AAI. “They will become closer to their communities and realize a sense of pride in what they’ve accomplished on this day. Not only will it enhance their education and self-esteem, it will acquaint them with the significance of philanthropy and the importance of community service. And it will be a fun day for all who participate.”
The Heidi’s Hope Serve-a-Thon honors Heidi Graham, who was AAI Founder Ray Gauvin’s partner in Advantage Payroll Service for 26 years, and helped Gauvin build the business to be the number-one payroll processor in Maine. Graham was always willing to help out in any way she could. She volunteered countless hours with schools, church, Girl Scouts, Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp, and other community programs. Graham lost a two-year battle to breast cancer in 2013. The Serve-a-Thon honors her spirit and determination and her commitment to community service and education.
For additional information, please visit www.gauvinfund.org and click on the pink Heidi’s Hope tab.
