Johndro receives Volunteer of the year Award

CARIBOU, Maine — Cuppy Johndro was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award during the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual Recognition Dinner at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on May 8.
Johndro, a tireless volunteer, was presented the award by Lisa Wilcox; Wilcox recalled that the first time she met Johndro was during the Caribou Cares about Kids Festival as Johndro was selling chicken-on-a-stick to raise funds for the Veterans Memorial Park Association.
“I clearly remember talking with her that day, mostly because I was so impressed with her enthusiasm on explaining what the park’s mission is, but also because I’d never met anyone named ‘Cuppy’ before,” Wilcox said. “What I didn’t realize on that day was that this would be the first of many times I would encounter Cuppy during my stint as a reporter.”
From selling chicken on a stick for the park, to delivering Brownie a-la-modes for the Loring Heritage Museum, hosting a “Let’s Make a Deal”-themed event for the Caribou Lioness Club, or a Family Game Night for the Relay for Life, “I discovered that it’s not uncommon to find Cuppy at the helm of a community charity event, the mastermind behind it all, firing up the crowd until they are every bit as passionate as she is about whatever she’s involved in at the time,” Wilcox added.
Wilcox also mentioned that she does know Johndro’s real first name, but joked she could not share it because she valued her life.
“On behalf of those in our community who have benefited from your hard work and generosity, I would like to say we wouldn’t change you for the world,” Wilcox added. “You’re most deserving of this award, the Veteran’s park, the Loring Heritage Museum, the Lioness Club, the Relay for Life and I’m sure there are other organizations I’m missing — all would not be as successful in their efforts to better the lives of those that they serve if they didn’t have your leadership and lively spirit to guide them.”
Johndro thanked the crowd, her family, and her fellow volunteers.
“Know that there are things you can do for your community to be a part of it,” Johndro said, expressing that volunteering is a great way to be a part of a community.
“You have to give to others,” she emphasized. “It’s a pleasure to be a part of Caribou and I really want to thank everybody.”