Katahdin Trust and Red Cross kick off ‘Critter’ fund-raising campaign

by Staff Pioneer Times
9 years ago
By Christopher Bouchard
Staff Writer
KATAHDINTRUST 16772081Aroostook Republican photo/ Christopher Bouchard 
Katahdin trust and Red Cross members pose with “Critters,” which are being sold as part of a campaign to support the Red Cross in Aroostook County. Front, from left, Joyce Knorr, community manager of the American Red Cross of Northern and Eastern Maine, Tami Kilcollins, Cary Medical Center community relations coordinator and Red Cross board member, Peggy Smith, assistant vice president retail services of the Katahdin Trust, and bank staff member Shelly Hewitt, Carrie Hull, Katahdin Trust Company branch manager for Easton and Limestone as well as Critter Sales Campaign chair and Red Cross board member, and Katahdin Trust staff members Shelby Damboise and Brian Martin. Back: Katahdin Trust staff members Billi Griffeth and Jennifer Craig. 

 

CARIBOU — Colorful stuffed animals line the shelves of Aroostook County Katahdin Trust Company branches as part of a 16 year long Red Cross fund-raising campaign. The stuffed animals, dubbed as “Critters,” are sold for $10 each, with all proceeds specifically helping Red Cross efforts in Aroostook County.

“I want to thank Katahdin Trust Company,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager for the Red Cross. “All the staff and employees have helped out for 16 years, and this will be my tenth year participating. These folks have been so loyal, faithful, and diligent. The ladies at the front desk are the reason this has been so successful. They initiate conversations with customers about the cuddly critters and explain how the money will help out the Red Cross.”

Critter Sales Campaign Chair and Katahdin Branch Manager for Easton and Limestone Carrie Hull is hoping to sell all the critters, which will result in $10,000 for the Aroostook County Red Cross Branch.

“We’ve sold out all the critters for the past five years,” said Hull. “In fact, we actually have customers who come in and want them before the sale even starts.”

“There are a lot of reasons to get a critter,” said Knorr. “You never know when disaster could strike you. You might be getting up at 2:00 in the morning, rushing out of your house with nowhere to go. The Red Cross will be there to put you in a nice hotel with food, and help you get diapers and formula if you have a baby or, if your grandfather was living with you and lost his wheelchair or hearing-aid, we’ll make sure he gets that too. It’s a win-win. You get something and then you get something in return if you’re in an emergency situation.”