PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Farm Credit East hosted another successful golf tournament on behalf of its Northern Maine Agricultural Foundation in early August.
This annual event raises money for local charities, and thanks to the generosity of local farmers and agricultural business sponsors, this year’s tournament raised $12,000.
“The NMAF was founded by Farm Credit East to give back to the community,” explained Dixie DeLong. “How we raise money is through our annual charity golf tournament. We usually pick three or four charities each year to donate to.”
Four recipients were selected to receive the proceeds from this year’s tournament, including Bridge to Hope in Houlton, Aroostook Veterans Alliance in Presque Isle, Aroostook County’s Future Farmers of America chapters and the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton.
Members of the Bridge to Hope, which is a non-profit organization aimed at helping people in southern Aroostook County with financial support during cancer treatments, gathered Wednesday evening at the Gateway Crossing Bridge in Houlton to receive their funds.
Kim Folsom, one of the key organizers for Bridge to Hope, said the money will be added to the sum raised in their upcoming cancer walk on Oct. 19 to continue helping those in need.
The organization has helped hundreds of families over the past 12 years, with such kind gestures as gasoline gift cards and hotel accommodations. The group has also helped with travel expenses for patients undergoing cancer treatments or those with appointments in central and southern Maine and beyond.
If funds are available, the group also offers a small scholarship to any student who lives in southern Aroostook County who has been affected by cancer in one way or another. Bridge to Hope also supports Sarah’s House in Brewer, which provides temporary lodging and support to those receiving treatment at the Eastern Maine Medical Center Cancer Care facility.
According to Evan Richards, treasurer of the foundation, the tournament marked the fifth year a golf tourney has been held since the foundation was created.
“We have an amazing pool of over 75 sponsors that support the foundation,” Richards said. “We have raised over $50,000 since inception and every dollar has been given to local charities.”
Farm Credit East, on behalf of the Northern Maine Agricultural Foundation, extends its thanks to all who participated in or sponsored this year’s tournament to make it another successful event that enabled the foundation to give back to the northern Maine community.
