Penquis Community Playground Receives Large Donation
The Penquis Community Playground Committee is excited to announce its latest donation from Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation- $28, 734.00! Paul Bradeen was instrumental in communicating our needs to the Alfond Family. This generous donation completes our goal to bring a playground to Penquis Valley Middle School. The Alfond Family has been generous supporters of many efforts to benefit the citizens of this area. Years ago their Dexter Shoe Company supported hundreds of area families who worked for them.
Although the committee had many fundraising activities planned, COVID-19 changed all of them. We have had to rely on the support of area citizens through direct donations and raffles. One special senior citizen donated $50,000 anonymously. It was this donation that helped our members realize that our goal was achievable.
Since then we have received many large and small donations. We wish to thank all of the citizens of our community for their encouragement and support, but especially to the following large contributors:
Milo Fire Department-$3,500; Tradewinds Market-$5,000; Al Belanger-$2,000; Jean Bishop-$1,000; Kiwanis-$3,000; Paul Foulkes Family-$500.; Class of 2019-$1,043; Maine Community Foundation Grant-$6,500; In-Kind Donations: William London & Son, Bishop Concrete, Earl Gerrish and Sons, and Wildwoods.
We have ordered the equipment and plan to install it this spring, as well as resurface the basketball court and prepare a new regulation-size soccer field. There will be a picnic pavilion, along with an adventure trail and learning center that is already being utilized. Surveillance equipment will be installed by Michael Russell and his ProTech Solutions, who gave us a very generous quote.