From left: Lincoln County Spark members Sam Mehlhorn, Cerina Leeman, Taylor Corson, Bronwen Hanna, Annie Avantaggio, Brynne Hanna, and Terri Herald attend the organization’s fifth annual Snowball at Water’s Edge in Edgecomb on Saturday, Feb. 25. (Abigail Adams photo)
Fur coats, top hats, and ball gowns were among the fashions that appeared on the red carpet at the Water’s Edge in Edgecomb on Saturday, Feb. 25, as Lincoln County Spark hosted its fifth annual Snowball charity gala.
Nearly 150 people attended the event, part of Lincoln County Spark’s mission to draw out the county’s young adults and encourage their volunteerism and involvement in the community, member Cerina Leeman said.
Lincoln County Spark is a social group with a philanthropic mission, formed to combat Maine’s “brain drain,” Leeman said. The group does not discriminate based on age, but is focused on creating networking and volunteer opportunities for the county’s 25- to 40-year-olds, Leeman said.
“People under 40 are not getting involved. We’d like to draw them out and see more volunteerism in the community,” she said. “There’s a lot for us to enjoy here.”
An affiliate group of the Realize Maine Network, a statewide network of organizations devoted to retaining Maine’s young people and attracting more, Lincoln County Spark is working to create community by giving back to it.
Lacey Fuller and Matt Page, of Split Rock Distilling, were among the young professionals attending Lincoln County Spark’s Snowball gala. (Abigail Adams photo)
In addition to the annual gala, the organization hosts several events throughout the year, such as 5K runs, to benefit local charities, Leeman said. The Snowball has raised money for the Lincoln County Animal Shelter and the Community Housing Improvement Project in the past.
This year, attendees ate, drank, and danced to support the Damariscotta-based nonprofit Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools, better known as FARMS. “They’re doing great work in our schools and in our community,” Leeman said.
More than a dozen local businesses sponsored the Snowball, a highly anticipated gathering that has become Lincoln County Spark’s signature event.
Attendees danced like no one was watching, as the band Tickle played songs by artists that ranged from Bell Biv DeVoe to Rihanna. A full buffet of entrees and appetizers was available, in addition to free champagne.
“This is essentially our version of a prom for adults,” an organizer said. “It helps break things up in the winter and beat away the wintertime blues.” The Snowball is a party with a purpose, and is part of a broader effort to stop the “brain drain” from Maine.
For more information about Lincoln County Spark, go to facebook.com/lincolncountyspark.
