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Artists Raffle Paintings to Benefit Spruce Run
Maine Valley Artists have joined with six Tim Horton’s Restaurants in the greater Bangor area for an art benefit for domestic violence awareness. During the month of September, six local artists will display their work area Tim Horton’s locations: Bangor (Main Street, Odlin Road, and Broadway), Old Town, Newport and Skowhegan. Visit your local location, or check out the photos of the paintings, below.
One framed and signed print from each participating artist will be raffled off at each restaurant. The drawings will be held on September 30th ; ticket sales close on the 27th. 100% of the proceeds from the Penobscot County locations will be donated to Spruce Run. Raffle tickets are $1, or 6 for $5, and may be purchased at the restaurants or directly from the artists. You can also purchase tickets at Spruce Run.
If you’d like more information, you can contact Deborah Ellingwood at 355-0001. Thanks so much to Maine Valley Artists for finding such a creative way to help end abuse.
Second Annual Spaghetti Supper in Honor of Ben Preston
There will be a spaghetti supper at the Samuel L. Wagner Middle School in Winterport on September 2nd from 5:00 to 7:30. The supper is in memory of Ben Preston, who lost his life to domestic abuse on September 2nd, 2007.
The cost for dinner is $5 for one, or $15 for a family. The dinner is hosted by Ben’s family, who generously donates the proceeds to Spruce Run and to our sister project, New Hope for Women, which serves the mid-coast region.
If you have questions, please call our office at 945-5102. Together, we can end abuse.
Even More THANK YOUs
We know it takes everyone working together to support families living with abuse and build healthy communities! And you know that, too, which is why you continue to support Spruce Run by giving your money, giving your time, speaking out against abuse and striving to have healthy relationships. Thank you!
We have a couple of specific THANK YOUs this month.
THANK YOU to The Pajama Program, the Maine chapter, for their recent donation of children’s books. The Pajama Program is a non-profit that provides new pajamas and new books to children in need, many of whom have been abused. The Pajama Program has generously donated pajamas to children living in our shelter in the past and with this donation of books, they seek to further their mission of contributing “to a warmer, more loving bedtime in a supportive reading environment.” Check out The Pajama Program online to find out more about their important work.
THANK YOU to Forest’s Edge Garden in Hampden for their generous donation of plants to the families working with Spruce Run. Gretchen and Nathan Fennelly donated two full truck loads of plants that will be going to families in our residential program, as well as families seeking support at our Resource Center. Thank you for this sweet-smelling and generous donation. Check out Forest’s Edge Garden online or visit them at 296 Main Rd. South in Hampden.
Spruce Run Volunteer Writes Book
Spruce Run volunteer DonnaLynn Hall has written a book about a young woman struggling to overcome the abuse she is experiencing at home. A Week To Remember is not autobiographical, but DonnaLynn did draw on her experiences of abuse as a young person when writing about Carrie, the 15 year-old protagonist of this novella. DonnaLynn plans on writing a trilogy and says the next book will focus on Carrie’s college years and will show that even though experiences of abuse may end, the affects of being abused can stay around for a long time.
DonnaLynn will conduct a book signing at Angler’s Restaurant in Hampden, Maine on August 14th from 4:00pm- 6:00pm. Please come.
To order a copy of DonnaLynn’s book for yourself or if you want more information, check out her website at http://www.victoryfromabuse.com/.
Family Fun Day 2010 A Huge Success!
For the past several years, Spruce Run has thrown a Family Fun Day for families living in our residential programs who are rebuilding their lives after abuse. We know that costs of fun summer events can be prohibitive for many of us, so we make sure that every family in our residential programs has at least one day of summer celebration. This year Spruce Run’s Family Fun Day took place on July 23rd and was a huge success. A staff member called this year’s Family Fun Day the “best to date.” There was a bounce house, a cup-cake walk, karaoke, crafts and games for the kids, musical performances, and lots of delicious food, including snow cones. As always, this event could not have happened without the generous and loving support of our community!
Thanks to Governor’s restaurant of Bangor, the Hannaford Supermarket on Broadway, the Olive Garden, Shaw’s Supermarket, the Brewer Wal-Mart, Longhorn Steakhouse, Chili’s restaurant, and Maine Equipment & Party Rental for your generous support! If we have inadvertently left any supporters off this list, thank you. Your donation matters.
photo used with permission
photo used with permission
photo used with permission
Spruce Run Needs Cell Phones!
Did you know that your old cell phone is valuable?
Any cell phone will dial 911. Donate your old cell to Spruce Run and we will pass it on to someone in need of an emergency phone. Right now our supply is running low, and soon we will be completely out. If you have an old phone and charger lying around that you don’t need any more, please bring it by the Resource Center so it can help someone stay safe.
Questions? Call the office at 945.5102.
Empire Beauty School Donates to Spruce Run
We are sending a big note of appreciation and thanks to Empire Beauty School, who last week presented Spruce Run with a check for $841.19! The funds were raised last fall at Empire’s Day of Beauty, part of a nationwide effort to raise money and awareness around the issue of domestic abuse.
Empire Beauty School is one of our strong community partners, and we are so grateful for the many ways in which they support an end to domestic abuse.
Amy Guiggey (left) and Diana Smith (right) present Regina Rooney (center) from Spruce Run with the school’s donation.
Longtime Friend of Spruce Run Passes Away
Lyn Bradley, pastor at the First Congregational Church of Millinocket, passed away suddenly last week. She was a longtime supporter of Spruce Run who worked in her community to foster healthy, safe relationships and homes. We will miss her very much. To read more about Lyn and her impact on her community, see last week’s article in the Bangor Daily News.
Honoring Mothers in May
May 9th is Mother’s Day, and Spruce Run wants to honor the mothers in all of our lives. Maybe you think of your biological mom, or maybe you think of an aunt, a mother-in-law, or a good friend. Whoever she is, we hope you will log on to our Facebook page during the month of May and let us know how you plan to honor mothers.
Looking for a Way to Help?
Check out our May Need of the Month:
This month, we are asking for donations of phone cards. Currently our supply is depleted, and we need to restock! The cards you donate will be given to families needing to make long distance calls to move forward with their lives, or victims who need them to keep in touch with family members or loved ones who are far away. Many thanks for your generosity.
