Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis gives heartfelt thanks on behalf of children and families
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Charities has been serving this community for over 80 years. But like so many other organizations and charities this year we had to cancel our normal fundraisers: most notably the Piscataquis River Race in its 48th year and a summer area favorite – what would have been our 70th annual — Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction. These two fundraisers alone bring in thousands of dollars which we turn back to area charities, mostly for the benefit of our children.
But the people of this area really stepped up. This community, and areas far beyond which stretch from Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, southern Maine and back to our own areas in Penobscot and Piscataquis County, showed their big hearts as they volunteered long hours and sent thousands of dollars of donations to help families and kids with food insecurities through our backpack program as well as other significant needs. A big shout-out to the many sponsors of our River Race who sent donations for a race which eventually was canceled, yet they said ”keep the money for your charitable work.”
Because of this enormous generosity, we were still able to provide grants to some of our very-deserving Key Club members to help with expenses as they prepared for their first year of college. And, while we didn’t have the amount of funds we hoped, we were able to provide grants to the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District for their Families in the Outdoors, Camp Out program, Dover-Foxcroft Area Food Cupboard, the Center Theater for the children’s drama camp and to the PRYMCA for the swim program.
We worked hard to think outside the box and to hold a few small fundraisers which would fall within CDC guidelines and help add to our Charities Fund. In the process we found great community support. We started with a Fourth of July Hot Dog Fundraiser at Will’s Shop ‘n Save and continued with our first ever Virtual Online Auction, a barn and yard sale and rounded it all out with a concert in Kiwanis Park courtesy of the Monson Jammers. Much hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves, 6-foot social distancing, one-way traffic and a lot of patience from the public allowed all of this to take place. There are not enough words to thank everyone who donated items for the “auction,” who purchased items, who traveled hundreds of miles to volunteer and who supported our efforts to work for the kids and families of our community!
A special thanks goes to members of the Bangor-Breakfast Kiwanis Club for their assistance with our barn sale, as well as to the Kiwanis of New England members who always have our back. That’s what the Kiwanis family throughout the world and locally does, the motto being “Serving the Children of the World.”
Please see our ad listed elsewhere in the Oct. 9 edition to the Piscataquis Observer thanking these wonderful people who have shown their kindness, loving spirit and devotion to helping all those in need, more than we could name. There were many anonymous donors as well, and many who continue to donate monthly. In times of such trouble, it is so heartwarming to experience the generosity and kindness of the citizens of this area. Please give a big thank you of support to these businesses and to all who have struggled this year, but regardless, stood up to help our community.