Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Bears, moose, monkeys, dogs and other “Cute Cuddly Critters” are looking for homes in Aroostook County.
For the ninth consecutive year, through Valentine’s Day, Katahdin Trust Co. will partner with the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter to sell stuffed animals to Katahdin Trust customers.
The critters are available at all 14 Katahdin Trust Co. branches, with proceeds to benefit the Red Cross local disaster relief fund.
“Last year, Katahdin Trust customers bought nearly 800 critters,” said Joyce Knorr, the Pine Tree Chapter’s Aroostook County Branch manager. “This year, we hope to sell even more of these soft, high quality, furry animals. They are a wonderful way to keep winter away. And while you and the people who get them enjoy each one, you will know you’re helping your neighbors. Thanks to you, the Aroostook County Branch will be there every hour of every day when a disaster strikes.”
The Pine Tree Chapter has served Aroostook County for 90 years. Since last July 1, the Pine Tree Chapter has provided local disaster response services to more than 50 county children, families and adults. In April and May, the chapter responded to the spring floods that affected more than 500 homes in the St. John River Valley.
According to Knorr, all local Red Cross programs are supported with local funds.
“The Aroostook County Branch gets no money from the county, state or federal government, or from the national office of the American Red Cross,” she said, noting that the Critters are “the perfect and affordable present for that special someone on Valentine’s Day, or for birthdays, thank-you gifts, a child or grandchild, a special niece or nephew, or as a present for yourself or an early 2009 Christmas present.”
Proceeds from the sale of the Cute Cuddly Critters will help the Red Cross provide county residents with shelter, food, clothing, medication and medical equipment replacement and emotional support after a house fire, flood, storm or other emergency. The money raised will also help military families stay in touch with each other during emergencies as part of the chapter’s Armed Forces Emergency Services program, and support Health and Safety Training classes in CPR, first aid and water safety.
“We are delighted to support this annual fund-raising effort,” said Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing at Katahdin Trust Co. “It provides a great opportunity for our customers and employees to help those in need in our local area who are coping with a disaster. All of the funds collected from the sale of the Cute Cuddly Critters go directly to Red Cross local disaster relief programs to help folks in need right here in our local communities.”
Smith said the bank has raised nearly $60,000 with this project during the past eight years and is hoping that at least $8,000 will be collected this year as the Red Cross needs the help of area residents more than ever before to fill the needs of people in Aroostook County.
Cute Cuddly Critters are now available through Valentine’s Day for $10 each at Katahdin Trust Co. branches in Ashland, Caribou, Eagle Lake, Easton, Fort Fairfield, Houlton, Island Falls, Limestone, Mars Hill, Oakland, Patten, Presque Isle, Van Buren and Washburn, and at its operations center in Houlton. For more information or to arrange for bulk purchases, go to any Katahdin Trust Co. or call Joyce Knorr at 493-4620 in Caribou.
Staff photo/Scott Mitchell Johnson
FOR THE NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR, Katahdin Trust Co. will partner with the Aroostook County Branch of the American Red Cross – Pine Tree Chapter to sell stuffed animals to Katahdin Trust Co. customers. The critters are available at all 14 Katahdin Trust Co. branches through Valentine’s Day, with proceeds to benefit the Red Cross local disaster relief fund. Shown with some of the Cute Cuddly Critters are, from left: Suzanne Senechal-Jandreau, regional manager for Women, Work, and Community; Ben Zetterman, community programs coordinator for the Pine Tree Chapter; Diane Green, Katahdin Trust Co. assistant vice president/Presque Isle branch manager; Vicki Smith, senior vice president of marketing at Katahdin Trust Co,; and Carrie E. Hull, Katahdin Trust Co. Easton branch manager/retail services officer. The stuffed animals cost $10 each.
