To the editor:
I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and support that was displayed this Saturday for the first official Walk Like MADD Event in Maine. As many of you know, there has been a walk organized by Heather Campbell over the past five years on the same day we walk in Raleigh, North Carolina. All the funds that have been raised will stay in Maine!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of my sister Darcie’s death caused by a drunk driver in Connecticut. I know she was with us this Saturday in spirit as “sisters are forever.”
I would like to thank Colleen Sheehey-Church, MADD’s National President, for coming to Houlton to share the MADD Mission. This weekend alone there were two OUI crashes. We need more education and awareness around this 100 percent preventable crime.
Mary Jane Cleary, thank you for sharing your mom’s story. Ella Mae Grant will never be forgotten.
Thank you to the Houlton Town Police, Sheriff Deputies and the Maine State Police for your presence at the Walk. Lt. Brian Harris, I look forward to working with you and local law enforcement throughout the year to help put a stop to drinking and driving in our state.
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our sponsors! Our local media sponsor, WHOU. Our supporting sponsors are Houlton Parks and Recreation Department, McDonald’s, and Katahdin Trust. The Friends of MADD sponsors are Belyea Enterprises, Inc., Campbell Family Farms, Albert Fitzpatrick Farms, Bell Chiropractic, Aroostook Print Shop, Inc., Main Street Fitness, State Farm and The Jewell Family.
There are several people and local businesses that donated goods, services and volunteered their time; County Yankee, Dunkin Donuts, Hannaford, Elm Tree Diner, Burger King, Wal-Mart, HHS Football team, HHS National Honor Society, HHS JV and varsity soccer players, Marie Carmichael, Joe Cyr, Barry Lorom, Chris Putnam, Margaret Hill, Kevin Hogan, Becky Miller, Norma London, Gail Turner, Nancy Wright, Lori Prosser and, last but not least, my family.
There are eight very special people that were instrumental in making all of this happen and it would not have been such a success without each and every single one of you; Heather Campbell, Sara Wotton Deveau, Martha Cowperthwaite Bell, Heather Schools Johnson, Jasen Hutchinson, Kathy Deveau Collins and Kristie and Marty Fitzpatrick. I love you all and am looking forward to our next Walk!
I thank each and every one of you that attended the Walk Like MADD. I hope to see you all next year! There are so many people from near and far that have supported this walk by donating. Your efforts have helped us raise $12,800 to date.
If you are interested in volunteering for MADD and helping us bring a MADD Chapter to our state, please contact me. If someone would still like to consider a donation.please go to www.walklikemadd.org/aroostookcounty
I appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart.
Nicole Hutchinson
Holly Springs
North Carolina
