The Health Services Foundation held its third annual charity auction May 18 at Yorks of Houlton. Items such as these helped raise $10,000 for the Foundation.
HOULTON — The Health Services Foundation’s third Charity Auction turned out to be a great night for everyone who attended and when all was said and done $10,000 had been raised in support of new medical equipment for Houlton Regional Hospital.
“Once again York’s of Houlton showroom provided the backdrop for a comfortable/fun evening, with Joyce Transue, owner of the Courtyard Café, catering the event with delightful refreshments for people as they previewed what was being offered,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation executive director.“The artistic talent of local, Native American as well as the state of Maine was presented in a very beautiful line-up of very special pieces. We were fortunate enough to have all four of our Maine Native American Tribes, the Maliseet, MicMac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot donating wonderful exhibitions of their work. Over one hundred pieces consisting of Textiles, Leather, Paintings, Prints, Jewelry, Baskets, Wood & Metal, Pottery, Beauty, Culinary Delights, Books, Whimsy, & Gift Certificates, provided the audience with many affordable choices.
“We were incredibly fortunate to have Smith & Wesson, once again, donate the coveted 1911 “E” Series firearm, and Gemma Bartley donated a wonderful Old Town Canoe,” Dulin added. “When the night reached the point for those items to go under the gavel, there was a lot of excitement and the bidding went very well.”
Dulin said turnout was great considering the weather was beautiful.
“All those who attended were enthusiastic about supporting this Foundation event,” she said. “All the wonderful pieces that were donated say a lot about the generosity of our communities and we deeply thank all of them as well as all those who helped us pull the whole evening together. We are comprised of small communities, and everyone had great choices for events to attend that weekend. All of us not only want success for a specific reason, but to be successful for those who have given so freely making it a tribute to them as well.So, it is our hope that every event that was held during that time did well as all those involved know, just as much as I do, how much hard work goes into each and every one of them.”
Norris Oakes returned from the Bangor area as auctioneer, with his winning personality that had the crowd smiling and laughing throughout the evening.As with last year’s event, a great deal of effort was put into planning/collecting the items.
“The level of generosity was absolutely incredible,” said Dulin.
The Foundation has been fundraising for Houlton Regional Hospital and other health care providers since 1983 and continues to do so in an effort to see positive results in the purchase of equipment, educational programs, and capital needs which are assisted to the best of its financial ability.
“The Foundation has been so fortunate through the years as we are constantly fundraising for the health and well being of our communities and the success of our auction means we can continue doing that to the very best of our ability,” Dulin said. “We are so very grateful to those who joined us as ‘Excellence in Health Care’ to all those we serve just keeps getting better because of all the great people who live, work, play and call this wonderful place home.”
Reprinted from the Houlton Pioneer Times
