D-F Kiwanis canoe race canceled, raffle still on 

DOVER-FOXCROFT — “You will always find people who are helping.” The famous Mr. Rogers told a story about when he was a boy and would see scary things in the news. It was very upsetting to him until his wise mother would say, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”

This has proven to be especially true in this wonderful community where we have seen how generous our citizens are. So many stepped up to the plate to help with the Kiwanis Food Program, financially and otherwise.

Many thanks are owed to the teachers, administrators, bus drivers, the food cupboard and members of Kiwanis who have been providing food to the children and families of our school district who need it the most. An enormous thank you goes to Gordon Contracting and Will’s Shop ‘n Save for the incredible amount of food, finances and time donated to make this happen.

Meanwhile, there are several Kiwanis-sponsored events that won’t happen or will be postponed. First, as you probably assumed, due to state and federal mandates, our annual Piscataquis River Race scheduled for April 25 has been canceled. Nevertheless, we greatly appreciate the sponsors of this event, most of whom decided to donate their sponsorship amount anyway. They will be recognized when we have the final tally.

But our fundraising raffle has not been canceled. Renamed our “Social Distancing Community Raffle,” you have three chances to win gas cards in the amount of $300, $200 or $100.  

Selling raffle tickets, when we have all been ordered to stay safe at home, is quite the challenge. Tickets are available from any Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis member or by emailing bob@mainemaplesyrup.com. You can also send a message through our Facebook page (dfkiwanis) and someone will get back to you. The drawing will now be held on May 19.  All profits will go to community needs. 

Free books for students, meals for seniors, community dinners and maybe other Kiwanis events are, or will be, canceled or postponed.  

Even our biggest fundraiser of the year, our annual Kiwanis Auction which is due to take place at the fairgrounds July 23-26 is in danger of being canceled or significantly modified. However, we expect the needs of our neighbors to be greater than we have seen in a long, long time.

Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities wants to be ready in the next few weeks to help meet some of those needs. But, as things stand right now, we will have a very difficult time meeting the expectations of the general public that you are used to. That’s why this raffle is so important.

Our Kiwanis does have a grant program to which local charities may apply. Applications can be found on our website (doverfoxcroftkiwanis.org) or Facebook page (dfkiwnis). They must be submitted by July 1. The awards will be announced by Sept. 15. But it is entirely possible we won’t have as much to hand out this year as in the past if the needs are as great as we anticipate.

In all of it, we are more dependent on you than ever before. Help us help others by buying a raffle ticket:  $2 each or three for $5. Or if you would rather just donate, please contact us via Facebook (dfkiwanis) or mail your tax-deductible gift to the address below. You can be sure that every penny will be staying right in our Maine Highlands community.  

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. That starts here, in this small part of central Maine. We are among those “people who are helping.” But, we definitely need more hands, more members. Please consider being a part of this special family of volunteers who truly work to make this place a better one for all of us.

Checks can be made payable to D-F Kiwanis and mailed to P O Box 615, Dover-Foxcroft, ME  04426.