CARIBOU — Just last week, the Mapleton Lions Club received the Spirit of America award, an honor that has been given to people and organizations for impressive acts of volunteerism throughout the state for over two decades.
The Mapleton Lions Club is a busy group, and they have been selflessly helping the residents of their tri-town community, which also includes Castle Hill and Chapman, for years. In addition to providing used eyeglasses, contacts, and hearing aids for the less fortunate, the club holds a number of fund-raising suppers for other groups such as the Boy Scouts.
Last year, the Mapleton Lions held a fundraiser for Chapman resident Jeffrey Clark, who was diagnosed with myeloma in 2014. Most recently, they were the host sponsor for the 2016 Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, which took place in late August.
Before presenting the award, Presque Isle Commissioner Paul Underwood gave a brief history of the organization, and said the Spirit of America Foundation is a 501c3 (non profit, tax exempt) public charity “established in Maine to encourage volunteerism.”
“Since the first Spirit of America award was presented to Alma Jones by Augusta’s Mayor (William Burney), over 500 Spirit of America ceremonies have taken place,” Underwood said. “The Mapleton Lions Club has put flags on Main Street during Memorial Day Parades, served food during community events, and the balloon festival would not have taken place without their backing.”
While not all of the Mapleton Lions could attend the Nov. 16 County Commissioners’ meeting in the Caribou EMA building, six were present to accept the honor.
“We thank you for this award,” said Lions Club Secretary and spokesperson Terry Sandusky. “The guys have always been very community-minded, and are always trying to look out for what’s happening in the community. Whether it’s putting the flags up on the holidays, helping individuals with medical issues, working with the kids’ rec program.”
Sandusky touched on the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, and his group’s continued involvement in the event.
“The balloon festival is a way to reach out to all of central Aroostook and, really, the whole county,” Sandusky said. “We’re glad to do what we do for the community.”
