To the Editor:
I continue to be amazed by the level of support provided by our community. Given there are so many causes worth our time and effort, I am humbled by the caring community members that choose to support MADD (www.walklikemadd.org/maine). Due to your encouragement and assistance, Maine now has its very MADD Chapter! I am equally excited to announce a second walk/run will take place in Portland next year.
Thank you to Colleen Sheehey-Church, MADD’s National President, for coming to Houlton for the second year to announce the establishment of Maine’s first official MADD Chapter. As she wraps up her tenure as the National President for MADD this year, I wish her all the best.
Jan Jensen, thank you for traveling from Portland to share Raina’s story with us on her birthday. I look forward to working with you and the Portland community to bring Maine another Walk Like MADD and its first MADD Dash 5k next year.
Thank you to the Houlton Town Police, Sheriff Deputies and the Maine State Police for your presence at the walk. I cannot wait to start working with you more as we continue to grow this project throughout our state.
Thank you to our returning sponsors: WHOU, our local media sponsor, and McDonald’s and Houlton Parks and Recreation Department, our premier sponsors. The returning Friends of MADD sponsors include Belyea Enterprises, Inc., Campbell Family Farms, Albert Fitzpatrick Farms, Bell Chiropractic, Aroostook Print Shop, Inc., Main Street Fitness, Katahdin Trust and The Jewell Family. Our new sponsors for 2017 featured UBER as a premier sponsor as well as Elm Tree Diner, Lisa’s Hair Design, MIST Transportation and Sadie’s Bakery.
There are also several individuals and local businesses who donated goods, services and volunteered their time. They include Andy’s IGA, County Yankee, Dunkin Donuts, Hannaford, Wal-Mart, Tim Hortons, F.A Peabody Company, Marie Carmichael, John Harvell, Lindsey Watson, Margaret Hill, Kevin Hogan, Norma London, Rachel Horton, Sandra Roy, Linda Wotton, Abby Deveau, Paul Deveau, Joe Cyr, Charity Cyr, Pete Johnson, John Mitchell and Marie Hutchinson.
The core volunteer team that has been by my side for nearly my entire life. Please know that I cannot express how thankful I am for you — Heather Campbell, Sara Wotton Deveau, Martha Cowperthwaite Bell, Heather Schools Johnson, Jasen Hutchinson, Kathy Deveau Collins and Kristie and Marty Fitzpatrick.
The weather was not ideal, but when you are in good company, who cares about the weather? We also had families that have been impacted by this preventable crime. The Dufour Family lost their daughter Erin and the Cleary Family lost their mother/grandmother Ella Mae Grant. These families inspire and challenge me to work harder and make a difference; Kathryn and Mary Jane…my heart is always with you.
Your efforts have helped us to raise over $13,000 to date! If you are interested in volunteering for MADD and helping us educate others, please do not hesitate to contact me. We will be back in Portland in 2018 on Aug. 19 and in Houlton on Aug. 25.
With much love,
Nicole Hutchinson, Maine MADD Chapter Leader
