During the past three weeks, 270 wreaths decorated by local businesses and individuals were sold to the highest bidders throughout Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Bids For Kids Annual Wreath Auction.
The result of the five silent auctions and two live auctions, announced Alex Gaeth, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine, was that “over $12,000 was raised to support our quality mentoring programs.”
Gaeth said, “We are so grateful to all the businesses and individuals who helped us meet our financial goal for this important Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine fundraiser. It costs an average of $1000 annually for each Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one professionally supported match. We currently serve more than 350 youth in Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo Counties. All of the proceeds of these auctions will go towards supporting the BBBSMCM matches and mentoring programs in the three counties.”
Bidding on the 270 wreaths began the day after Thanksgiving, on Nov. 28, at Bath Savings Institution in Damariscotta, and Camden National Bank branches in Waldoboro, Rockland, Camden, and Belfast. Wreaths were also available for bidding at several area businesses, and two live auctions were held.
Postal Center USA and The Lincoln County News were major sponsors of the 2008 Bids for Kids Wreath Auction. Additional sponsors included Allen Agency, Bath Savings Institution, Drs. Davis, Olson and Albert, Maine Coast Construction, Thomaston Place Auction Galleries, and Village Soup.
Jenny Schoenborn, Director of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine said, “The outstanding response to this year’s Bids For Kids Wreath Auction tells me that businesses and individuals in the community recognize the importance of mentoring programs among our youth in these difficult economic times. Whether as a sponsor, a wreath decorator or bidder, or as a volunteer, the Bids for Kids Wreath Auction offered a unique opportunity for community-minded individuals to support the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring programs. At the same time, it gave shoppers an opportunity to add some gifts and a wreath or two to their holiday purchases. We are so grateful to our sponsors, to everyone who decorated or bid on a wreath and to our volunteers. Each and every one of them helped us reach our financial goal, thus helping Big Brothers Big Sisters change the lives of children in our community.”
For information Big Brothers Big Sisters of Midcoast Maine’s mentoring programs, to volunteer or donate, please call 593-0380.
