By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Perfect weather combined with a record number of participants for the eighth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run helped AMHC raise an all-time high of just over $52,250 to benefit the organization’s Sexual Assault Awareness Program. Added to past years’ totals, AMHC has raised nearly $300,000 to spread awareness and offer services to those who’ve been a victim of sexual assault and to assist their loved ones through educational opportunities.
Staff photo by Kathy McCarty
Joe Chamberlain leads a group of snowmobilers to the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club’s clubhouse, where riders enjoyed lunch during AMHC’s eighth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run.
“The Sno-Run supports AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services, which provides free, confidential support and advocacy services to anyone who has been sexually assaulted or abused in Aroostook County. This year’s event was again a huge success, breaking all previous records,” said Lorraine Chamberlain, LCSW, director of AMHC’s outpatient operations and emergency services, and Sno-Run co-organizer.
The event is vitally important to the program.
“As some may be aware, this is the only fund-raising event that Sexual Assault Services does for the sole purpose of increasing community awareness about the seriousness of this issue in our community and to get the community involved in prevention and early intervention for those who may be harmed by sexual violence,” said Lorraine. “AMHC’s focus for this event is to support a strong service response for children and youth in our community.”
This year’s activities were a bit different from the past, with not only a new starting point for the snowmobile ride but a new venue for dinner as well.
“The event started this year at a new venue, Griffeth Ford in Caribou, with the introduction of a walk/run, coined the Andy Santerre Sno-Runners/Walkers,” said Joe Chamberlain, co-organizer.
A total of 17 participated in that part of the full day’s event, led at 9:45 a.m. by David Goodrich of Houlton.
“Many commented on how this new addition will grow next year,” added Lorraine.
The Sno-Run snowmobile ride began at 10 a.m., with a stop at the Washburn Trail Runners clubhouse, where photographer Paul Cyr, with support of pilot Gene Lynch II, flew overhead as the sleds headed toward Presque Isle and the Aroostook State Park, where riders enjoyed lunch served at the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club.
“This is the first time Andy had been to the new clubhouse since the fire destroyed the previous clubhouse in 2009. Approximately 120 sledders enjoyed a great lunch, before venturing back to Caribou,” said Joe.
Laurie LaViolette, of Orrington, and her granddaughter, Cloe LaViolette, 9, of Lincoln, were among the many riders who enjoyed lunch made by members of the PISC.
“I haven’t been able to make the event since the first one, but I donate regularly. This is Cloe’s first time,” said Laurie LaViolette. “We came up as a group to take part in this year’s fundraiser.”
Her granddaughter, a bit shy with all the strangers around, nodded “yes” when asked if she was enjoying lunch, then nodded “yes” again when asked if she was enjoying the event.
Joining the LaViolettes were Walter and Shirley Hincks, of Orrington.
“This is our first time but we’d like to come back,” said Shirley Hincks.
Later in the evening, 385 supporters joined Santerre for a social/banquet dinner and live charity auction at The Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Event Center in Presque Isle.
“This was a new venue due to the demands of the community to be able to participate in the event that has clearly grown over the past eight years,” said Joe. “As in the past, there was an excellent selection of 165 lots of wonderfully donated items for the live auction, from autographed NASCAR memorabilia and race ticket packages, hand-crafted items, and many gift cards, etc.”
A very unique and locally-made item earned the highest bid during the auction.
“The item receiving the highest bid went to one of Andy’s NASCAR members, Darrell Wallace Sr., from North Carolina, who won a one-of-a-kind hand-crafted wooden tractor-trailer built and donated by Wally Mahan Jr. of Westfield, with a high bid of $1,000,” said Joe.
Steve Richard, the event auctioneer from its inception, again did a fantastic job engaging all to support his worthy cause. Raffle winners were Dave Corey, of Caribou, winning the Bill Landes custom-built bird feeder (Landes donates one each year to be raffled for AMHC). Parker Thompkins of Blaine won the Pro-R 120 Polaris youth sled donated by County Sports Polaris.
This year’s fundraiser topped last year’s total by more than $2,000.
“Going into this year’s event our goal was to match or exceed last year. We did that with the support of the community,” said Joe. Last year we raised just over $50,000, putting our total for seven years at about $237,000. With what we raised this year, we approaching $300,000.”
“This year Andy brought the largest group of NASCAR-affiliated friends who included drivers, crew chiefs and crew members. The group included: Sergio Pena, Michael Cherry, Darrell Wallace Jr. and a late-model legend of the south, Freddy Queery, who has won over 1,000 late-model races in his lifetime, who decided to come to the event for the first time,” he said.
“I also invited natives of the St. John Valley, Shawn Martin and the up-and-coming racer Austin Theriault, to participate in the event,” said Joe.
The Chamberlains wished to thank the many sponsors who made this year’s event a huge success.
“A special thank-you goes out to all who were involved in making this event the success that it was, including all who sponsored, donated or participated in this event,” said Lorraine.
AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or violence in their lifetime It is also available to those who are family members or friends of those who have been abused who are seeking out how to be supportive to their loved ones.
“We offer specialized services which have been developed based on the belief that persons who have been sexually assaulted have the right to determine their own response to the assault(s), and the immediate availability of crisis intervention and support services helps to facilitate their recovery process,” added Lorraine.
If you or a loved one is in need of services, or you would like more information to get involved with keeping your community safe, call 800-871-7741.
