To the editor:
In 2001 my husband and I were told that our son Kaleb “Cubby” Johnson would not live to see his fourth birthday. Born with a life threatening illness, neurofibromatosis Type 1 ( a disease in which tumors grow on nerves), Kaleb found his health waning speedily but thanks to the good grace of God and the prayers of many, Kaleb not only lived to see his fourth birthday but recently saw his 17th!
Inspired by the many act of kindness bestowed upon the family, our family decided to give back to the community and the concept of The Cubby Thriftstores was born.
Named after our son, the Cubby was created as a limited liability corporation with a humanitarian cause. Along with selling clothing, furniture, home décor and other numerous items The Cubby began the The Cubby Gives program (formerly the Cubby Fund) as a program dedicated to providing financial support to children living in Aroostook County with a chronic or life threatening illness. This program helps families cover physician fees, transportation costs, lodging, food, vehicle repairs as well as the purchase of medical adaptive equipment, digital monitors, customized car seats, protective gear, CPR/First Aid classes, medical ID bracelets and more.
Cubby Gives also supports the Hero Program which recognizes a child monthly for their bravery in the face of adversity with a $100 or like gift, story in their local media and in store recognition and since the store’s inception in 2010 over 60 children have been nominated for the Hero of the Month program. Through our efforts we have watched some of these special children thrive and others succumb to their illness. Our investment in their welfare is more than just monetary; it is heart.
The Cubby Thriftstores also works very closely with local agencies, shelters, nursing homes and churches to assist the needy in our surrounding communities through the donation of mattresses, bedding, furniture, kitchen items, medical equipment and clothing and has recently paired up with Full Circle Health Care, LLC to collect hearing aids and supplies which will be re-furbished, re-adapted and donated to our elderly population.
In addition, The Cubby Thriftstores with the help of our dedicated patrons have collected and donated over 200 pounds of aluminum tab tops to Shriner Hospitals for Children. This doesn’t even touch upon our efforts to be a “green” company.
As part of our “green” concept we recycle thousands of pounds of clothing annually. This clothing makes its way to the back of a recycling truck (not the landfill) and is picked up by a New England based company to be used for residential and humanitarian efforts.
We also recycle: metal, plastic bags, newspaper, magazines, glassware, ink cartridges, cell phones, TV’s, and computer monitors. If it can be recycled or repurposed we’ll do it!
We cannot meet every need. We do not shelter the homeless, provide winter heating fuel or feed the hungry. The County already has exceptional resources in place to meet those needs, however; we do strive to clothe the needy, care for the sick and the afflicted, and make a difference in the everyday, small acts of kindness we can render to members of our community.
If you know of a child with a chronic or life threatening illness and would like to see them nominated for our Hero of the Month program contact me at 760-7070 or stop by one of our stores in Presque Isle, Caribou or Madawaska to request an application.
