SeDoMoCha Builders Club’s Miracle Tree event brightens lives

By Stuart Hedstrom
Staff Writer

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Earlier in the month over a dozen decorated trees and accompanying goods were on display for a weekend in the banquet rooms at Pat’s Pizza. The trees were more than decorations to get visitors thinking about the upcoming holidays but a fundraiser organized by the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

 MIRACLE TREE DONATION — The SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club organized a Miracle Tree Event on Nov. 7-8 at the Pat’s Pizza banquet rooms in Dover-Foxcroft. Proceeds from raffle tickets for over a dozen trees sponsored by area businesses and organizations raised over $3,000 and these monies were divided among several charities including the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard. Pictured are, from left, food cupboard representatives as well as Builders Club members Cierra Jackson, Emma Ladd, Rachel Mullis, Cadence Gil, Madyson Skipper, Kaiden Whitten, Rusty Willette, Brad Whitten, Jane Conroy, George Barton, club adviser Heather Whitten, Austin Gil, Lucas Ronco, Alex Atkinson and Austin Jackson.

The Miracle Tree Event, which Builders Club Adviser Heather Whitten said was inspired by the Anah Temple Shriners annual Festival of Trees, raised $3,200 through the purchase of raffle tickets that could be placed by the tree or trees of the ticket holder’s choice. Holders of the winning tickets drawn were able to walk away with a tree — each was sponsored by an area business or organization — as well as all of the accompanying items on or underneath that tree.

Whitten said the Miracle Tree event was created to benefit local charities, with an emphasis on helping area families through the winter months. Checks for $1,000 were given to the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club’s backpack program for RSU 68 and a similar initiative in SAD 4 in the Guilford area. Another $400 contribution was made to the Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard.

The remaining funds from the Miracle Tree Event, about $700, will go toward the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Christmas program, to provide gifts and needed items such as winter clothing to area families in need.

“The members of the Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft are very proud of these middle school students who participated in this fundraising event,” said Tom Gerrish of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis. “The fundraising portion of this of this event was very successful with over $3,000 being realized. These funds will be used to help support the backpack programs in both Dover-Foxcroft and Guilford grade schools. Also, a portion of these funds will go to Thanksgiving and Christmas programs to help needy children and families in Dover-Foxcroft and other nearby communities. Those young students involved in this event gained much from this experience such as the importance of helping the less fortunate in our community.”

Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club President Jan Barton said, “I really liked that in addition to the intended benefit of helping hungry children and their families, the project also enabled us to assist the children in the Builders Club, enjoy working on a project and social time with fellow Kiwanians and gave those who received the trees a nice lift at this cold, dark time of year. Lots of unintended and wonderful consequences!”

Bob Moore, past president of Kiwanis Club of Dover-Foxcroft and past Lt. Gov., New England District and Club Treasurer Barbara Moore said, “The amazing success of the Miracle Tree Event not only shows Heather’s dedication to our youth and the needs of our area but also instills a sense of community service in our middle school students. The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis is so very fortunate to have Heather Whitten join our club and be the adviser to the Builders Club.”

The sponsored trees were won by the following: Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis: Betty Patterson; Thirty-One: Karen A.; Bob’s Sugarhouse: Dianna Davis; Foxcroft Academy: Bradley Whitten; JD Raymond/Carpe Diem Salon: Aleshia Raymond; Bears Den: Griffin Caruso; Center Theatre: Paul Conaloge; Will’s Shop ‘n Save: Kim Johnson; Maine Highlands Federal Credit Union: Barb Burger; Dave’s World: Ronnie Towne; Steinke & Caruso Dental Care: Lindsay Noyes; Dover-Foxcroft Police Department: Miranda Sabin; and Masonic Lodge: Audra Rayfield.

Cindy Woodworth of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis contributed to this story. 

 Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

FEEDING THOSE  IN NEED — On Nov. 20 the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club presented a $1,000 check to the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis for the Kiwanis’ backpack program, which provides backpacks full of healthy foods to help prevent students from going hungry. From left are Builders Club students Cierra Jackson, Emma Ladd, Rachel Mullis, Cadence Gil, Madyson Skipper, Kaiden Whitten, adviser Heather Whitten, Brad Whitten, Darlene Emery of the Kiwanis, Austin Gil, Lucas Ronco, Alex Atkinson, Ralph Lewis of the Kiwanis and Austin Jackson.

Photo courtesy of Heather Whitten

MIRACLE TREES — Over one dozen trees were raffled during the SeDoMoCha Middle School’s Miracle Tree Event. The event was inspired by the Anah Temple Shriners’ annual Festival of Trees.

Photo courtesy of SeDoMoCha Builders Club

HELPING SAD 4 STUDENTS — Among the recipients of funds raised through the SeDoMoCha Middle School Builders Club’s Miracle Tree Event is the SAD 4 backpack program. Roxanne Chase of SAD 4, right, recently accepted a $1,000 check from the Builders Club for the program that provides students in need with backpacks full of healthy foods.

Photo courtesy of Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis

WIN THIS TREE — Raffle tickets could be dropped in the can for a chance to win the “Thirty-One” tree and items at the SeDoMoCha Builders Club Miracle Tree Event.

Photos courtesy of Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis

DECKING THE HALLS — Members of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis get a club tree ready for the Miracle Tree Event on Nov. 7-8 at Pat’s Pizza. The event featured over a dozen trees sponsored by area businesses and organizations, which were then raffled off to benefit several area programs helping those in need.

Photo courtesy of Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis

WINDOW SHOPPING — The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis’ tree was on display at the Miracle Tree Event held earlier in the month at Pat’s Pizza in Dover-Foxcroft.