JD Foundation Auction Saturday, July 5

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    ABBOT — The big tent is up in Abbot and donated items are coming in daily for the 2nd annual auction to benefit the JD Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to suicide prevention through awareness, outreach and education.
    Auctioneer Paul Davis of Sangerville will drop the gavel at noon on Saturday, July 5 but patrons can get a sneak preview on July 4 from 12-4 p.m. or by appointment.

    A few major items on the auction block include two club tickets to the Patriots-Bills football game on Dec. 28, a two-night stay with meals at Maynard’s in Rockwood, a fishing trip for five off the coast of Portland, a lobster boat cruise out of Rockland, an autographed photo of Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski, a signed baseball bat from former Red Sox infielder Shea Hillenbrand, a complete dining room set, a king-sized bed with mattress and box spring, a stereo system with Bose speakers plus gift certificates and baskets from dozens of area businesses.
    Abbot Superette’s hamburgers and hot dogs as well as Butterfield’s homemade ice cream will also be on sale.
    Cheryl Morin and her husband, Victor, started the JD Foundation in 2007, two years after their son William “Jody” Day took his life at age 19.
    They’ve traveled statewide to convey their message that suicide is preventable, but it’s vital to know the warning signs and how to deal with them.
    During a trip to southern Maine last year, Cheryl Morin came down with “flu-like” symptoms and thought a few days’ rest and home remedies would cure it.
    But she got considerably worse and was eventually diagnosed with ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome.)
    Morin spent two days at C.A. Dean Hospital in Greenville and 15 days at EMMC in Bangor including 12 in the intensive care unit.
    “I’m doing pretty well now,” Morin said last week. “I still get tired pretty easily, so I’m doing a lot of work online. By this fall, I’ll be back on the road full-time again.”
    She plans to conduct workshops at several schools starting in September, including Greenville Consolidated School and Massabesic High School (in Waterboro).
    Morin works with the Veterans’ Administration on their suicide prevention programs and has also been asked to speak at Beal College’s crisis intervention class this fall.
    For updates on the auction, visit the JD Foundation’s Facebook page.
    For more information about the foundation, its goals and other upcoming events, visit www.thejdfoundation.org or call 1-888-568-1112.