By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — The Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce bestowed two iconic charitable entities with the Spirit of Caribou Award this year, the Halfway Home Pet Rescue and The Cubby.
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet
Popular Caribou thrift store The Cubby received a Caribou Spirit Award on April 1; receiving the award on behalf of the business were, from left, Kyle Thibodeau, Nikita Cate, Cindy and Chris Johnson.
“For these businesses it’s not necessarily about their bottom line or their billions served, but rather for their heart and their desire to serve and to give back to the community,” said Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison during the award presentation at the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Recognition Dinner held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on April 1.
Chris and Cindy Johnson own The Cubby, a popular community thrift store that’s more than found its niche in the region; in the past year, the shop has not only outgrown its original location and moved down the street to a larger space, the Johnson’s just opened The Cubby’s sister store in Presque Isle.
While the ability to make a business thrive in a less-than-hospitable economic climate marks savvy management skills, the Johnsons are better known for their philanthropy; they donate a percentage of all proceeds to children of the county (and their families) who are coping with life threatening illnesses.
The tremendous strain childhood illness can bring to a family is something the Johnsons can sympathize with; their son, Kaleb was diagnosed at 9 months with neurofibromatosis, Type 1, which is a life-threatening condition with no cure.
Now 12, Kaleb’s nickname “Cubby” inspired his parents to open the shop that directly gives back to the community.
“For the Johnsons, The Cubby is more than just a thrift shop but rather an expression of their desire to give back as the result of their firsthand experience of the community and the outpouring of support for their family in their time of need,” said Murchison.
Joining The Cubby in earning the prestigious award was the Halfway Home Pet Rescue (HHPR), a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for stray and at-risk animals in Aroostook County. The all-volunteer group cared for 214 cats in 2010, of which 73 were strays and 86 were owner-surrendered. Volunteers spend countless hours finding homes and caring for the forgotten animals — even nursing them back from the brink of death on more than one occasion.
“The purpose of this organization is to act as an emergency animal welfare shelter and advocacy group for stray, abandoned and abused animals by providing immediate emergency shelter, foster care housing and medical care as needed until adoption as well as providing public education to schools and community organizations, issuing spay/neuter vouchers to low income families and furnishing a free pet food pantry to help pet owners keep their animals,” Murchison said. “This represents a tremendous service for our community and for the surrounding areas.”
Because of the harsh winter weather that blew in and blanketed the area with intense snowfall, HHPR President Norma Milton was unable to receive the award on behalf of the shelter in person. Additional information regarding HHPR can be obtained by visiting www.halfwayhomepetrescue.org.
