By MaryMargaret Portera
MSSM Intern
The 14 branches of Katahdin Trust Company will hold a Cute, Cuddly, Critter Campaign to help raise funds for the local American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter disaster relief fund for the 11th consecutive season. There are stuffed animals on display and sold for $10 each from Monday, Jan. 10 through Monday, Feb. 14. Funds help the American Red Cross provide services such as emergency shelter, food, clothing, infant supplies, medical equipment, and other resources to local victims of fire, flood, or other disaster. As the Red Cross is a non-profit organization, none of these costs are provided by state or federal government. Everyone involved in the project gets very excited for this fundraising campaigns every year.
Aroostook Republican Photo/MaryMargaret Portera
Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the Pine Tree Chapter, holds the four new additions to the Cute, Cuddly, Critters lineup — from left, Marty Moose, Heidi Cow, Sleepy Sheep, Brantley Bear, and Knorr’s favorite classic, Poppy Penguin.
This year, four new Mary Meyer critters will be added to the collection of stuffed animals being sold. As well as displaying old favorites such as Kevin Bear, Holly Hound, Domino Dalmatian, Poppy Penguin, and Josh Bear, Brantley Bear, Heidi Cow, Mary Moose, and Sleepy Sheep are all making their debut this year. Purchasing places for these critters include any of the bank’s branch offices in Ashland, Caribou, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Island Falls, Limestone, Mars Hill, Oakfield, Patten, Presque Isle, Van Buren and Washburn.
“Mary Meyer products are similar to the Gund and FAO Schwarz products,” said Joyce Knorr, Aroostook County branch manager of the Pine Tree Chapter. “They have the same rich, soft feel and are of the highest quality. They make great gifts for anyone. Some folks even purchase several and donate them to children at local hospitals or take to nursing homes; how thoughtful is that?”
“Katahdin Trust Company is so very supportive of the needs of our community. Their hard work and generous commitment toward the Red Cross mission has helped to raise over $75,000 during the past 10 years,” said Knorr. “This really makes a difference in the lives of those who have lost everything. Disaster victims cope better in making plans for recovery when they have their basic needs supplied immediately.” Their goal for this project is to raise $8,000.
Aroostook Republican Photo/MaryMargaret Portera
Workers for the American Red Cross, from left, front row Ken Urquhart, Bill Thomas and Bob Jordan, and, back row, Katahdin Trust Company staff Julie Haney, Jana Shaw and Peggy Bugbee, display the Cute, Cuddly, Critters being sold to benefit the American Red Cross-Pine Tree Chapter.
Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing and communications at Katahdin Trust Company, also believes the critter campaign serves an important role in the community. “This is such a great project for the bank, the local Red Cross office, and most importantly for the victims in our local area that are struck by disaster,” she said. “As a local community bank we feel it is our civic duty to give back to the areas which we serve and this is one way that we do that on an annual basis. We encourage folks to stop by early to get their Cute, Cuddly Critter, as it is likely that we will sell out prior to Valentine’s Day,” Smith added.
