To the editor:
As co-organizers of the recent Grill & Chill BBQ to benefit the Ark Animal Sanctuary, we’re firm believers in the notion that it “takes a village” — and we certainly owe our village a tremendous amount of gratitude for their support.
So many of you responded to our requests for help without hesitation — Andy’s IGA, Tim Hortons, Naturally Potatoes, Houlton Farms Dairy, and the Elm Tree Diner supplied donated or at-cost food; the Elks Club of Houlton kindly allowed us to their banquet supplies; the Jobs for Maine Grads team and the young ladies of the Pony Club helped with set-up, service, and tear-down support; and more than 100 silent auction items were donated by local individuals and businesses.
We’re grateful to Undertone, featuring Trish King and Kevin Hogan, for making the promise of rockin’ music real, and to our media friends at WHOU, WAGM, and the Houlton Pioneer Times for spreading the word near and far. Thank you to Bob Monfils responded to every “can you…?” with a resounding “yes!”.
And a big huzzah to our families who allowed themselves to be enlisted in all of this — especially Andrea Hutchinson, who helped make the Sanctuary beautiful, and Rob Lawless, who served as pitmaster for the barbecue.
Most of all, thank you to the community for joining us on Saturday evening in numbers beyond our hopes and expectations. You all helped fill the Sanctuary with love and move the completion of the new facility one step closer to reality. We are proud to be a part of a community that supports its neighbors and actively demonstrates compassion for animals in need.
Kathryn Harnish and Kathryn Knapp
