A new Caribou-based nonprofit is on its way to creating a homeless shelter and work-training center for Aroostook County veterans.
United Veterans of Maine, founded in 2015, partnered with WAGM-TV to raise more than $45,000 in one day toward conversion of a 12.5-acre garden center into a place where homeless veterans may not only reside, but also learn skills that will help them be productive members of the community.
“Project 16,” a March 9 fundraising telethon coordinated by the local television station, tapped into the generosity of Aroostook County residents, exceeding all expectations.
“We thought $17,000 would be a good goal,” said UVM president John Deveau, who served twice in Iraq. That goal was reached by 10 a.m.
“WAGM saw a great idea and decided to partner,” Deveau said. “They got the message out. They made the cause known. I can’t thank them enough.”
More than 200 individuals, families and businesses donated during the day, marking the end of a month of promotions that included a challenge to do 16 jumping jacks to support the cause and submit a video for an online competition. Entries included videos of 250 Caribou High School students and children at a local day care center, which can still be viewed at www.wagmtv.com/project16aroostook.
“We even got Rene Clukey to do 16 jumping jacks,” said Vietnam veteran Vaughn Hardaker of the WAGM-TV sportscaster who said he would respond to the challenge if UVM met their goal. Hardaker is commandant of the Meo Bosse detachment of the Marine Corps League in Caribou, another partner in the homeless shelter project. “WAGM was fantastic,” he said. “All the promotion was given absolutely free. That could be worth at least $20,000.”
The County is pleased to feature content from our sister company, Bangor Daily News. To read the rest of “Mainers are turning a greenhouse into housing for homeless veterans,” an article by contributing Bangor Daily News staff writer Kathryn Olmestead, please follow this link to the BDN online.
