Kiwanis salutes SeDoMoCha Builders Club for Miracle Tree Event

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — In November over a dozen decorated trees and accompanying goods were on display for a weekend in the banquet rooms at Pat’s Pizza. The trees served as more than just decorations as the items were also a fundraiser organized by the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club. The club’s Miracle Tree Event, inspired by the Anah Temple Shriners’ Festival of Trees, raised $3,200 through raffle tickets to benefit local charities, with an emphasis on helping area families through the winter months.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

KIWANIS SALUTE — SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club Adviser Heather Whitten, right, is presented with a certificate of appreciation from Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis President-Elect Deb Somers during the Kiwanis’ Jan. 12 morning meeting at Foxcroft Academy. Leading up to the holidays Whitten and the Builders Club organized a Miracle Tree Event, with the $3,200 raised benefitting several local charities with an emphasis on helping area families through the winter months.

The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis recognized the Builders Club by presenting a certificate of appreciation to Adviser Heather Whitten during the organization’s meeting on the morning of Jan. 12 at Foxcroft Academy, as well as recognizing the first two corporate members for the Kiwanis and the newest individual member.

Kiwanis President-Elect Deb Somers presented Whitten with the certificate, telling Kiwanians and guests that “she did a project over the Christmas holiday called the Miracle Tree.” Somers explained tickets could be purchased for the trees — each was sponsored by an area business or organization — with a winner drawn to receive that particular Miracle Tree and all of the accompanying items.

“She did it basically on her own and she donated the money to different food programs in the area,” Somers said. “You will have support next year for it,” she said, as Whitten mentioned a committee for the 2016 Miracle Tree Event has already been started.

The funds from the Miracle Tree Event went toward the Kiwanis’ backpack program for RSU 68 and another $1,000 was given to a similar initiative in SAD 4. A $400 contribution was made to the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard. The remaining $700-plus was earmarked for the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Christmas program, to provide gifts and needed items such as winter clothing to area families in need as well as helping members of the SeDoMoCha School community.

“There were a few families at SeDoMoCha that needed things,” Whitten said, such as gas cards. She said if she noticed a child coming to school repeatedly without sneakers for gym class then this needed footwear was purchased for the student.

Whitten said students taking part in some music program groups need certain attire and articles of clothing including black pants, skirts, white shirts and dress shoes were funded through Miracle Tree Event monies to ensure participants in need to not go without.

“Next year’s going to be bigger and better and I don’t know how that’s going to be possible because this year was so amazing,” Whitten said.

Somers said the Backpack Program “is serving around 50-60 students twice a month.” Whitten said she wishes members of the Kiwanis were able to see what she is able to view working at the school as the recipients “run to see the backpacks and they are so excited.”

“It is something wonderful to partner up with the Kiwanis,” RSU 68 Superintendent Robert Lucy said, saying he is proud of Whitten and the Builders Club. “As a school system it means a lot to us to have this collaboration with the community.”

“There is two full months of food because of Heather’s team,” Will’s Shop ‘n Save owner and Kiwanis member Will Wedge said.

The meeting began with board member Tom Gerrish explaining that community businesses and organizations are now eligible to join the Kiwanis as corporate members. “The company is represented at meetings and events by a designated employee,” Gerrish said. “Our first corporate member is the Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church and Pastor Chad Poland will receive a certificate of membership.”

Gerrish said the Kiwanis and Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church have worked in partnership for many years, such as the club assisting the food cupboard and the church providing space for the Christmas program, “which has been a great help.”

The Piscataquis Regional YMCA is the Kiwanis’ second corporate member and “the Kiwanis and the Y have been partners for many, many years,” Gerrish said. The club has made yearly financial contributions to the PRYMCA, has an adjacent park with youth fishing pond and supported youth swimming programs among other endeavors.

PRYMCA Executive Director Rod Willey will serve as the designated member and he had his individual membership pin placed on his shirt by his sister Cindy Woodworth, who sponsored Willey along with Willey’s brother-in-law Brian Woodworth.

“I had heard about Kiwanis and it had always been part of the fabric of the community, but I didn’t realize how large the fabric was,” Willey said. “Personally it’s a great opportunity but professionally it’s also a great opportunity. It’s an honor to be here and I look forward to service.”

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

INAUGURAL CORPORATE MEMBER — The Dover-Foxcroft Congregational Church was formally inducted as the first corporate member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis during a Jan. 12 meeting at Foxcroft Academy. Kiwanis board member Tom Gerrish, left, presents the corporate membership certificate to Pastor Chad Poland and the church’s Director of Children’s Ministries and Youth and Kiwanis member Jerrod Oltmann, right.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

WELCOMING THE PRYMCA — The Piscataquis Regional YMCA is now a corporate member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club. Pictured are, from left, Kiwanis board member Tom Gerrish, PRYMCA Executive Director Rod Willey and Director of Marketing and Fund Development Patrick Myers.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

FAMILY AFFAIR — Rod Willey, the newest member of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis, is pinned by his sister Cindy Woodworth as his brother-in-law Brian Woodworth looks on.