Rally on the Roof set for May 16
PRESQUE ISLE — After a very successful first-time fundraiser last year, which caused quite a buzz throughout The County, it’s back to the roof for officials with a local hospital and radio broadcaster.
Photo courtesy of TAMC
BAIL MONEY — TAMC’s Director of Innovation and Education Joseph Siddiqui of Caribou, seated, phones a co-worker to help bail him off the roof during last year’s Rally on the Roof fundraiser. Also detained was Tony Phillips of Coca-Cola Bottling of Aroostook, back left. Broadcasting the event over the three Townsquare Media radio stations were Lisa Miles and Jason Parent. The second Rally on the Roof event will be held Thursday, May 16. The 24-hour fundraiser will again benefit the Aroostook County Relay for Life event and TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care Services. In addition, children’s health care services at the Presque Isle hospital will receive proceeds from the funds raised this year.
The second “Rally on the Roof” event, sponsored by TAMC and the three Townsquare Media radio stations, will be held Thursday, May 16. The 24-hour fundraiser will again benefit the Aroostook County Relay for Life event and TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care Services. In addition, children’s health care services at the Presque Isle hospital will receive proceeds from the funds raised this year.
The first Rally on the Roof last spring realized more than $20,000. Organizers intend to top that amount by the time the rooftop is cleared this year, as well as raise a greater awareness about the wide array of cancer care services and care offered to the youngest residents of northern Maine.
Camping out on the roof above the Giberson Day Surgery Unit at TAMC’s A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital on Academy Street again this year for the full 24 hours will be Jason Parent, director of advancement for TAMC, and Lisa Miles, general manager for Townsquare Media in Presque Isle. The two will broadcast on the radio through the day, encouraging listeners to donate and providing updates to the community on their progress. They will also have their happenings monitored on a live webcast for any and all to see.
Like last year, Parent and Miles won’t be the only two inhabiting the rooftop deck. As part of the fund-raising effort, community members are encouraged to pay to have a “rooftop warrant” issued for the “arrest” of someone they’d like to see serve time.
The warrant cost is $150. Once issued, the “Rally on the Roof” paddy wagon (Crown Ambulance) will be dispatched to pick up the accused. When the arrested party arrives at the A.R. Gould Hospital, they will go before a mock court to be sentenced to serve time on the roof. While up there, it will be the person’s responsibility to raise their bail by calling friends and family to work their way down.
Funds raised by the issuing of warrants will be dedicated to the Aroostook County Relay for Life effort. Detainees will get to decide whether they are raising their bail to support TAMC’s Aroostook Cancer Care or children’s health care.
“Last year was wonderful. People really got into the spirit of the event. It’s this generosity and compassion that makes The County so special,” said Miles. “ At the end of the day, we hope to have shared some laughs and to make a real difference for our friends and neighbors. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Depending on the weather, detainees won’t find it an overly great hardship to serve their time and raise their bail. As they did last year, Lowe’s of Presque Isle is sponsoring the rooftop deck, complete with patio furniture, and a port-o-potty donated by Tompkins Plumbing and Heating, also of Presque Isle.
“We have a number of new surprises in store for this year,” said Parent. “We plan to welcome new detainees into the evening after hearing feedback last year from individuals who would have issued arrest warrants for co-workers on a later shift or for family members at home.”
New to this year’s event is the electronic ability to issue a warrant.
“We have made issuing a warrant super easy this year,” said event coordinator Bobbie-Jo Caron. “With the talented expertise of Townsquare Interactive and EMHS Foundation, there is a special website that has been created for the rally event, found online at www.rallyontheroof.com. Once you are on the site, you can watch the event unfold live via webcam, see how much money is being raised, make a payment toward someone’s bail or make a general donation.”
Another huge addition for this year comes through the support of a new event partner, Griffeth Ford Lincoln Mitsubishi. As the official transportation sponsor, Griffeth will be supplying vehicles for event officials to use in picking up (when the Crown Ambulance/Paddy Wagon is already on a run) and returning detainees after they have served their time on the roof. With the support of Griffeth and an expanded team of volunteers, the Rally will cover a greater geographic area, allowing for warrants to be issued in northern and southern Aroostook County.
Darlings Ice Cream Truck will be parked at the A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital campus from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. selling ice cream to support the event. Proceeds from ice cream sales will also benefit Rally on the Roof causes.
Another new partner this year is Tim Hortons of Aroostook County. During Rally on the Roof Day, the four Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shops in the region — Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou and Madawaska — will roll out their Smile Cookie program at each location. Proceeds from the sweet treats sold that day will benefit TAMC.
“Our team members across The County are really looking forward to this year’s Smile Cookie fundraiser benefiting The Aroostook Medical Center,” said Troy Chamberlain, local Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop Restaurant owner. “It is very important to us to give back to the communities we serve.”
Radio broadcasts of “Rally on the Roof” can be heard throughout the day May 16 and on the morning of May 17 on the Townsquare Broadcasting Radio stations WQHR-FM — Q96.1, WBPW-FM 96.9 — BIG Country 96.9, and WOZI-FM 101.9 — 101.9 The Rock. Progress can also be tracked on the official website.
To make a donation or issue a “Rooftop Warrant,” log onto rallyontheroof.com or call 768-4858.
