PI Rotary Club
selects recipients for 2012 auction
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The Presque Isle Rotary Club is gearing up for its 65th annual Radio and TV Auction, which will be broadcast live from the Northeastland Hotel Nov. 27-29. Auction Co-Chairs Ralph McPherson and Scott Violette — and the entire club — are hard at work preparing for this year’s auction, which will benefit seven non-profit organizations in the region, as well as raise funds for this year’s special project, Homeless Services of Aroostook.
NEW LEADERSHIP — The Presque Isle Rotary Club installed new officers and set its board of directors for 2012-13. 
This year’s officers and directors include, from left, front row: Mandy Hall, secretary; Ralph McPherson, first vice president; Joy Barresi Saucier, president; Scott Violette, second vice president; and Tony Phillips, treasurer; back row: Rachel Rice, director; Frank Bemis, sergeant at arms; Martin Puckett, Lehrle Kieffer and Scott Carlin, directors; Jeff Pangburn, immediate past president; Tim Poitras, assistant treasurer; and Gene Lynch, director. Not pictured are: Jennifer Sonntag, assistant secretary; and Gina LeBlanc-Eggert and Brian Flewelling, directors.
“The continued success of the auction is a tribute to the generosity of our community,” said McPherson. “Each year, we are so amazed and thankful for the outpouring of support from business leaders, establishments, organizations, agencies, media outlets and the citizens of Aroostook County. This is all about the community projects that we support.
“The recipients that have been selected this year, as we’ve seen in past years, are exceptional at what they do,” he said. “They make such a big difference in the community and we’re only able to help them because of the support we receive from the community.”
Area non-profit organizations that were chosen for funding from 2012 Auction regular proceeds are:
• The Francis Malcolm Science Institute ($3,000), to install state-of-the-art cove lighting within the planetarium theater. This new lighting will replace semi-operational, outdated cove lighting and enhance the quality of presentations and illuminate the theater for teacher/student interactions.
• Hope and Justice Project ($2,500), to purchase five twin beds for its transitional house. These beds will be occupied by women and children who are seeking safe shelter from an abusive situation. The transitional house also provides advocacy and support in order to help rebuild and restore lives that have been affected by domestic violence.
• Aroostook Football ($2,500), to purchase new football helmets in compliance with helmet manufacturers that mandate helmets 10 years or older must be discarded. These helmets will improve the overall safety of the youth by reducing the risk of head injuries and post-concussion syndrome.
• Friends of Aroostook ($2,000), to help build and supply water to a Rimol Greenhouse that will provide fresh produce to soup kitchens and food banks throughout Aroostook County. The greenhouse will extend the growing season, making it possible to provide produce throughout the spring and fall.
• Martha and Mary’s Soup Kitchen ($2,000), to purchase two replacement freezers and one refrigerator to provide adequate refrigeration and storage of all meats and produce that require cold storage. Martha and Mary’s soup kitchen is located in Presque Isle and serves meals to needy individuals and families. It is open Monday through Friday and there is no cost for the meal.
• Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery ($1,000), to purchase four 3 x 6 display cabinets for meetings and operations room. These cabinets will be used to display historical artifacts and documents from Maine veterans.
• Presque Isle Historical Society ($1,000), to help refurbish “Molly the Trolley.” The Historical Society has purchased a 1985 tour train for the purposes of city tours. The money will help refurbish the train by providing a back-up camera, public address system and cushions for the seating.
The Rotary Club of Presque Isle also chooses a project or organization to receive Special or Major Project status. Past major projects have included mammography, dialysis and other much-needed equipment for the local hospital; a new roof for the Catholic Charities of Maine warehouse in Caribou, upgrades to Mantle Lake Park, and lighting at the Nordic Heritage Center, just to name a few. Last year, with the generous support from the community, the Rotary Club was able to raise $38,000 to help establish the first non-profit dental clinic north of Bangor. The St. Apollonia Dental Clinic is now running and is serving the needs of disadvantaged children in the area.
This year’s special project goal of $25,000 is earmarked for Homeless Services of Aroostook. Homelessness has been a growing problem in our region and it affects many families. The Sister Mary O’Donnell Shelter is the only emergency shelter north of Bangor and the only facility in Aroostook County established to provide shelter for the displaced and homeless. The money will be used to purchase new beds equipped with mattresses and headboards. New bunk beds will also be purchased, allowing greater flexibility to stack and move beds, increasing the ability to reach full capacity. In addition, 30 footlockers will be purchased. This will allow residents of the facility to store their clothes and personal belongings in a locked storage unit.
“Rotary International’s theme for 2012-13 is ‘Peace through Service.’ As you can see, the projects selected are focused on peace in our community,” said McPherson. “Peace comes in many forms such as peace of mind, security, comfort, health and nutrition, safety and community development. Everyone who participates in the auction will be contributing to this peace and improving the lives of those in our community.”
McPherson and Violette, along with the Rotary Club as a whole, are looking forward to another exciting auction this year. The club could not successfully complete this enormous task without the support of donors, viewers, listeners and bidders.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Rotary and its ideals can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or contact any Rotarian.
