Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Another year has come and gone and with it another record has been set for funds raised to benefit AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services, bringing the six-year total to approximately $182,000. “This year’s total breaks last year’s record amount raised. Funds raised at the 2009 Sno-Run event, $42,500, provided 902 contacts, amounting to over 400 hours of direct victim service and education,” said event organizer Joe Chamberlain. “This year’s event broke that record, raising over $46,000.”
This year’s event was held on Saturday, Feb. 6, with Andy Santerre — NASCAR’s four-time champion and Maine native — joining AMHC staff and community supporters at the sixth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run, raising about $46,834 for AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services, the only victim rape crisis center in Aroostook County dedicated to providing victim advocacy, awareness and community education about the violent crime of sexual assault.
Organizers Joe Chamberlain and Greg Disy report that it was humbling to see so many people come out for such a great cause.
“More than 140 sledders were registered for the ride, lead by Andy,” said Joe. “Dave Moreau, of County Sports Polaris, provided Andy and his guest, Jeffrey Earnhardt — the grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt Sr. — with new Polaris snowmobiles to ride at the event.”
Participants of the ride, including Earnhardt, said the event was “awesome.”
Along the course of the run, the Washburn Trailrunners hosted a sledders’ lunch at their clubhouse in Washburn, before the group returned to the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
“After the 100-mile run, Trent Burgay served as the DJ for an autograph session/social hour with Andy and Jeff poolside,” said Lorraine Chamberlain, who has spearheaded the AMHC fund-raiser since its inception six years ago.
The autograph session/social hour was followed by a dinner/charity auction attended by a sellout crowd of 320.
“AMHC would like to thank the many local businesses, Andy and his many NASCAR friends who donated NASCAR memorabilia to the auction and who participated in the event. Steve Richard once again served as the charity auctioneer and outdid himself by rallying auction participants to raise $13,085 in auction proceeds alone,” said Lorraine.
Organizers were surprised and pleased when the Washburn Trailrunners’ president, Billy Pike, presented co-organizer Joe Chamberlain with a check in the amount of $1,000 to further support the cause. Pike said it was important to the club to support people in the community who need this service.
Numerous sponsors contributed to the fund-raiser, making this year’s event the best ever.
“Through their collaboration with AMHC and ASM (Andy Santerre Motorsports), the event is growing stronger each year,” said Lorraine.
A major result of this year’s Sno-Run fund-raiser is that it will help AMHC sexual assault services to achieve its goal of continuing to increase youth awareness and access to the free service, said Lorraine.
“The success of the Sno-Run event speaks volumes about how much Aroostook County residents value the service,” said Joe.
This year’s event had a somber note, with the recognition of several supporters who are no longer with us. Posthumously honored with a moment of silence were: Jim and Doris McBreairty, Debbie Belanger, Larry Doody and Allen Curran.
For more information, call AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services toll-free at 800-550-3304 to learn about how you too may get involved with the annual Sno-Run event or to provide funding support.
