Paradis family scrambles to rescue UWA

By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
    The United Way of Aroostook has reached its fundraising goal of $520,000, thanks to a Valley family’s generosity.
    “It was a difficult year with workplace campaign giving down overall. We really didn’t think we would make our goal. The Paradis Shop N Save United Way Benefit Scramble was the last event of the year — as our fiscal year ended June 30. Going into the tournament, held June 11 at the Fort Kent Golf Club, we were at 98.5 percent of our goal. We needed $7,782 to achieve it,” said Claudia Stevens, executive director, United Way of Aroostook.
    Stevens said with sponsorships, registration fees and selling mulligans, the net profit was slightly over $6,000.
    “When the Paradis family realized that we were only $1,500 away from reaching our $520,000 goal, the family got together and decided to add an additional $1,500 to ensure that United Way reached this year’s goal,” said Stevens.
    Approximately 108 golfers hit the links in Fort Kent. A total of 27 teams donated $100 each for the event, counting toward the $6,000 raised June 11.
    Stevens credited public support for reaching the $520,000.
    “It took many donors and many special events to help United Way reach this goal. We are grateful to all of them,” she said. “We’re especially grateful to the Paradis Shop N Save family for kicking in the extra funds so that we could officially say we reached this year’s campaign figure.”
    Stevens said she and officials with United Way are pleased to see more involvement from the St. John Valley.
    “We now have four board members from the St. John Valley: Scott Vloisine, UMFK; Robin Damboise, Northern Maine Medical Center; Suzie Paradis, town of Madawaska and part of the Paradis family; and Ed Welch, Twin Rivers Paper Company,” said Stevens.
    United Way serves all of Aroostook County, so the added support in the Valley is very welcome, according to Stevens.
    “We appreciate the much-needed Valley support that we are seeing. United Way is located in Presque Isle but is very much an Aroostook County organization,” Stevens said.
    United Way provides funding to a number of Valley agencies and organizations.
    “Funds go to the Valley through the agencies that we help support, like St. John Valley Associates, Hope & Justice Project, ACAP Child & Family Services, ACAP WIC Program, Dolly’s Imagination Library, 2-1-1 Maine, Meals on Wheels, Catholic Charities Maine — which help supply food banks in the St. John Valley — and Helping Neighbors.
    Scramble organizer Judy Doustou was thrilled to be a part of such a worthwhile event.
    “Wow, we made it through our first United Way Benefit Scramble. For our first year, we had such a great turnout. We had a beautiful day and so many wonderful people from all over the County. We also had some of our Canadian friends join us,” said Doustou.
    Doustou said the sponsors deserve a good deal of the credit for making the day such a success.
    “The Paradis family would like to thank all those who helped sponsor and raise money for United Way of Aroostook. They helped United Way of Aroostook meet its goal, which makes it possible for agencies throughout Aroostook County help those in need,” Doustou said.
    Participants not only helped raise funds for the County non-profit agency, they also competed for some great prizes. The top prize — a car — would have gone to the person getting a hole in one on a particular hole, but unfortunately no one made it.
    Doustou said plans are already being made for next year.
    “What a great time everyone had. We’re looking forward to next year,” said Doustou.
    Stevens said she appreciates what the Paradis family did to make the UWA’s goal a reality.
    “The Paradis store has done the workplace campaign for quite a while and knew we (UWA) were struggling. When their campaign was done, they wanted to do more. They put together the tournament, knowing we didn’t have any special fundraisers in the Valley. We’ve made such a great connection with the Valley, through their efforts,” said Stevens.
    “It was a great day all around. I walked on air coming out. I was pretty sure we wouldn’t reach our goal this year,” said Stevens. “But once again, this proves people of the County always come through for United Way.”