Staff Writer
Natalie St. Pierre, a Presque Isle resident and native of Colorado, recently returned from a trip to her home state where she presented checks to the United Way and Red Cross to assist victims of recent wildfires. St. Pierre raised $600 through Relief for the Rockies, a fundraiser she put together earlier this summer.
NATALIE ST. PIERRE, of Presque Isle, recently held a fundraiser called Relief for the Rockies, raising money to aid fire victims in her home state of Colorado. Here, St. Pierre, at right, presents a check for $300 to Shelly Glenzinski, of Pikes Peak United Way in Colorado Springs.
“The Relief for the Rockies fundraiser came about after I heard of the severity of the Waldo Canyon fire that ranged through Colorado and the surrounding area of my hometown of Colorado Springs. I was not born in the Springs but spent my formative years there,” said St. Pierre.
Having strong ties to the area, she felt compelled to find a way to help those in need back home.
“The Springs was where I attended grade school, middle school, high school and began my college career. My parents, grandparents, aunts, cousin and a great many friends reside there. So, indeed this was personal,” she said.
“When news of fire spread to WAGM, I knew it had gotten bad and that I had to do something to help,” continued St. Pierre.
As often happens in life, a relationship led St. Pierre to move to Maine.
“I ended up in northern Maine after meeting my now ex-husband who was a soldier stationed at Fort Carson. After he medically retired from the service in 2004, we settled in Caribou. After we separated in 2006, we later divorced but I remained here largely due to my daughter,” said St. Pierre, adding she was also in the process of earning her B.A. from the University of Maine at Presque Isle and didn’t want to halt the process by moving elsewhere.
This summer was a busy time for St. Pierre, as she started a new business and made plans for the fundraiser.
“Not long before hosting the fundraiser I had begun laying the groundwork for starting my own business, Social Envy Image and Event Consulting. As such, I decided the Relief for the Rockies event would serve as the first event sponsored by my new venture,” she said.
The event was put together as a block party and silent auction, hosted by Social Envy in collaboration with Wintergreen Arts Center.
“Items within the auction were donated in large part from other area businesses such as Big Cheese Pizza and Precision Tattoo. The auction also featured handmade items and art from members of the community,” said St. Pierre.
“We also had musical performances by The Grinn Brothers, Mark Shaw and his daughter Jordyn, as well as Brian Mosher and Doug Cronkhite from Common Crossing,” continued St. Pierre, noting all performed free of charge.
There was also face painting and other children’s activities as well.
“Donations were taken the day of the event at Wintergreen and also at our local United Way and Rec Cross locations. In total, $600 was raised,” St. Pierre said.
In late August St. Pierre made the trek to her home state to present the money to the two agencies.
“I traveled back home Aug. 23 and Sept. 6 and made the donations in person on Tuesday, Aug. 28, presenting checks for $300 each to Pikes Peak United Way and the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Red Cross. The funds will go directly to those affected by the Waldo Canyon fire,” she said.
According to St. Pierre, a Red Cross official indicated the funds will likely be used toward the creation of “comfort kits” which are given to families of the fire and include items like hygiene products such as toothpaste, shampoo and soap, as well as cleanup supplies such as rakes and shovels.
“Overall, funds to both organizations were to benefit those directly affected in the most needed way possible,” said St. Pierre.
St. Pierre said she was pleased and grateful for the support she received here in the County.
“This fundraiser was organized and held in the short time span of two weeks, from conception to completion. I’m just elated by the outpouring of support and compassion displayed by the people of Aroostook County. This event was an opportunity for my two families to become one; it was truly an amazing experience,” said St. Pierre.
“There was no prouder moment for me as a student, community member and business owner to be able to present my former community with a gift from my current community during their time of need. Everyone in Colorado was touched by the generosity of the folks in northern Maine,” said St. Pierre.
THE PIKES PEAK Chapter of the American Red Cross was one of two beneficiaries of the Relief for the Rockies fundraiser put together by Presque Isle resident Natalie St. Pierre, who is a native of Colorado. The money will be used to assist victims of recent wildfires in Colorado. At left is St. Pierre presenting a $300 check to Red Cross representative Linda Russett. St. Pierre made the trip to her home state in August to present the funds in person.
