Degenhardts receive Lifetime Achievement award

Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
DEGENHARDTS HONORED — Ed and Dawn Degenhardt were the proud recipients of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award during Saturday’s annual Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce awards banquet.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
    Being the recipient of a list of national and international awards is impressive, but Ed and Dawn Degenhardt were especially honored to be recognized by their hometown.
    “It’s very nice,” said Dawn Degenhardt. “Receiving awards is always surprising to us.”
    Ed has been a member of numerous civic organizations, including the Maine Restaurant Association. He was honored in the 1990s with the Restaurateur of the Year Award and was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. As owner/operator, Ed firmly believes in listening to the customer as to what they desire in a McDonalds Restaurant.
    Dawn has been the recipient of many prestigious awards. One she is especially proud of is the National Caring Award from the Caring Institute in 2002 that is signed by Mother Theresa. Also in 2002, she was the winner of the Jerry Newman Award.
    The Degenhardts moved to northern Maine in 1974. Dawn was born and raised in Portland and Ed once lived in Fort Fairfield, as a young boy. Ed fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning his own business — McDonalds — and Dawn came with a dream of simply raising her adopted children.
    Ed’s first McDonalds restaurant was in Millinocket and then he added Houlton, Calais and Lincoln restaurants, as well.
    The Degenhardts each took the podium to offer their own special words.
    Starting out, Ed spoke about watching the movie “The Bucket List.” In that movie, two questions were asked. The first, “Have you had joy and happiness?”
    “Yes, I have had joy and happiness in my life,” Ed answered. “I have lived a lot of places, met a lot of good  and wonderful people, worked a lot of jobs and hopefully, I learned a little along the way. But, good people in one’s life makes for the most happiness.”
    Ed holds his wife and family in high regard.
    “She is the most fantastic woman I have ever met,” he said. “We have nine children, 17 grandchildren and 48 years later, along with thousands of people in our lives, it has made for a wonderful journey.”
    Now, to the second question of the “Bucket List” movie, “Have you brought joy and happiness to others in your life?”
    When younger, Ed served as a Scoutmaster and he was responsible for 20 Scouts and they were responsible to him.
    “I decided that summer, whether you are serving or whether you are controlling, you have to be firm, but fair and fun,” he said. “If a situation can be enjoyable for others, folks are inclined to repeat it or at least, remember it.”
    After Forestry College, Ed learned the art of small business when he was the head of a rubber plantation in Liberia, West Africa for Firestone. The plantation (a little town of thatched huts) was cut out of the tropical rain forest in 1923 by Harvey Firestone.
    “There were 400 to 500 Liberian employees and their wives and children in the village,” Ed said. “The majority were rubber tree tappers. The rest were factory workers, on the road gang, carpenters, yard workers, blacksmiths and office staff.”
    The employees and their families lived a modest life.
    “We furnished rice, palm oil and 25 cents a day,” Ed said. “I learned then, how important it is to take care of your employees when they are living on the edge. We must have concern whether people are primative folks, industrial engineers or college faculty.”
    McDonalds restaurants have employed thousands of people over the years.
    “Hopefully, those of us in small business, who treat, not only our customers, but our employees with fairness and respect will reap the benefits, along with personal satisfaction, as well,” Ed said.
    Then, Dawn spoke to the audience.
    “I am very lucky to have been trusted with our wonderful children, who continue to exceed our expectations and continue to support our projects to help others in so many ways,” she said.
    The Degenhardts’ passion for children made them advocates for those with special needs and for those who needed families. That fervor led Dawn to establish The Council on Adoptable Children in Maine and in 1977, the Maine Adoption Placement Service (MAPS), which has grown into an international force in adoption with major effect on several continents.
    “I may be accused of being a visionary,” said Dawn, “but without ‘Hunk’ and his support, family, volunteers and friends, nothing could have been accomplished.”
    With Ed by her side, Dawn helped to open Russia and Vietnam to aid and adoption from the United States and started numerous humanitarian aid efforts in more than a dozen countries.
    “Over the years, many local volunteers have worked tirelessly to develop programs at MAPS and Stepping Stones — several in this room,” said Dawn.
    “Along the way, we placed more than 4,000 kids for adoption, developed offices and programs in five states and in more than 15 countries,” she added. “But, that is history now. Now, we need to look to the future to help children, families and seniors.”
    In 2005, the Degenhardts started the Degenhardt Foundation, whose official mission is to improve the life for children and families worldwide. The Degenhardts hope that the Foundation, through development  of creative projects reach people in need. One such project is Aid for Kids.
    Aid for Kids has partnered with more than 35 charitable organizations, many individuals and schools to distribute more than $150,000 worth of clothing, $100,000 worth of new books, teaching aids and other necessities.
    “We need your help,” said Dawn.
    The first way is through the Bangor Savings Bank’s Community Matters where people can cast a vote until the end of March.
    The second, is helping the organization with its grant process and thirdly, finding a suitable space that is for sale.
    “We are desperately in need of a warehouse with a storefront to stock and distribute merchandise from,” Dawn explained.
    And, of course, volunteers are always welcome.
    “There is no lack of energy or time that Ed and Dawn aren’t helping others in their own community and throughout the world,” said Lori Weston, Houlton Chamber executive director.