Good morning, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about my charity fundraiser that I will be working on this year.
Eighteen years ago, our eldest daughter Courney passed away at the age of 15. She was a passenger in a car accident on her way home from a sophomore class meeting. Shortly after her death, Michaela, our youngest daughter who was 10 at the time, and I started going to the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Me. It is a peer support program that is free to the participants, so all my proceeds from my raffle will go to them.
After Michaela decided she had spent enough time there to heal, we finished going to our weekly meetings. A year of so later I decided that I was ready to give back, I took the facilitator training class and became a facilitator at the Sanford location of the Center for Grieving Children. I continued my volunteer work there until my work hours changed and I was no longer able to volunteer. This organization stayed near and dear to my heart.
Two wonderful people made items for my raffle. Mark Therien, a Sanford lodge member and special friend for many years, has made a live edge console table. My daughter, Michaela has hand made a pottery set. Thank you both so very much.
My pin will be available after this program. You will notice a gerber daisy, that was Courtney’s favorite flower. Another flower is the orchid, which is Michaela’s favorite flower, the yellow rose is in honor of my mother in law, Nellie who passed three years ago and the butterfly is in memory of my mom who passed six years ago, I love them very much. The middle of the pin is the logo for the Center for Grieving Children, I look forward to sharing my pin with you all year.
I would like to take this time to thank three special ladies who have helped me prepare for this upcoming year; Trisha Bolz, Lisa Brunelle and Denise Hannigan, I treasure your friendships.
I look forward to visiting all the lodges in the state with Corey. It will be my pleasure to participate in the great work that you all do for this wonderful organization of Elkdom.
Thank you to the Waterville lodge for your gracious hospitality, it’s been a wonderful weekend.
Joleen
MEA First Lady