Creating a new and unprecedented partnership with the Cuckolds Fog Signal and Light Station, Hancock Lumber is donating all of the building materials for the Cuckolds restoration. This commitment has a retail market value of $150,000 – $200,000, but the value of the Hancock contribution is far beyond the “material.”
Eric Dolloff, Retail General Manager for Hancock’s Damariscotta operations, who grew up in Boothbay Harbor, first sparked the idea and brought it to a supportive Kevin Hancock.
The Cuckolds Rescue hit Hancock’s sweet spot. In this sixth generation family business, their passion is stewardship. The late David Hancock once said, “Each of us has the obligation to pass on the institutions we care about in better shape than when we assumed stewardship responsibility for them.”
The company stands strongly behind these words today, continuing the Hancock family tradition of stewardship.
Hancock Lumber took the lead, and put together a coalition of their suppliers and business partners, so that all of the lumber, doors and windows, roofing, hardware, kitchen cabinets, fixtures and more, will be donated to the Cuckolds Rescue.
These entrepreneurial and community spirited companies recognized the unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity presented to them: an opportunity to demonstrate their enduring commitment to greater Boothbay; to rescue and restore an historic landmark; to prove that their products and materials can withstand the most rugged storms, high winds, and crashing seas.
Yes, it is also great advertising, but beyond the PR value of their commitment, Hancock Lumber and their partner companies see this as part of their corporate social responsibility, both in terms of civic participation, and in the privilege of helping to restore a regional and national treasure.
“We are proud to be working in partnership with the many volunteers who are participating in this project,” said Dolloff. Of course, we know that several United States Government agencies are highly interested in the restoration… This kind of public/private partnership is what America is all about. Our employees are as excited as we are to become more engaged in the Boothbay peninsula. And, of course, these government agencies purchase a lot of building materials – we hope they will turn to us as a potential supplier. This can also be good for our company’s bottom line.”
Kevin Hancock seeks to continue the company’s long tradition, building the future, being good stewards for future generations: “This is what we do. We do it all as a local, independent Maine company in an age of global giants,” Hancock said. ” This project enables us to live by our core values, and do so in a very public-minded way.”
Gerry Gamage, Chairman of the Cuckolds Council, Chair of the Southport Island Selectmen, and Construction Overseer, remarked on the Hancock Lumber commitment, “These are people who live by their motto “We Make It Easier”. With Hancock Lumber’s help, this challenging project just became a lot easier. I speak for many in our community when I say we are grateful for this generous contribution.”
“The Cuckolds Council feels fortunate to have found a business partner who shares the same passion we all bring to this task,” said Cuckolds Council member Philip Yasinski. “This project is not just about now. Today’s young people, their kids and grandkids, deserve to understand their maritime heritage. They will know we cared enough to rescue the Light Station and create a place for them to learn. Hancock Lumber has been serving our region for 162 years, and we expect them to be a strong presence in the Boothbay peninsula and throughout Maine for the next 162. And because of what we are building together, the Cuckolds Light will still be shining.”
