Staff Writer
In its fifth year, the Andy Santerre Sno-Run, an annual fund-raiser benefiting AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services, continued to amaze organizers, setting yet another record this year.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
START YOUR ENGINES — Andy Santerre waves as he heads out for the fifth time in as many years on a ride that raises funds for AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services. The 5th annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run, dinner and auction raised over $42,000 for the agency, beating last year’s figure by over $2,000. This year, the weather held, providing optimal riding conditions for the ride that took participants from Caribou, to points in Chapman and Presque Isle, before returning to the Caribou Inn and Convention Center.
On Feb. 7, Cherryfield native Andy Santerre, the 2002-2005 four-time Busch East Series champion (currently the Camping World East Series), racing crew chief and owner of Andy Santerre Motorsports (ASM), joined more than 300 supporters and volunteers at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center to help AMHC raise $42,500 to help provide free rape crisis and support services to the youth and child victims of sexual assault in Aroostook County.
Event organizer Lorraine Chamberlain, director of outpatient operations and emergency services for AMHC, said, “This brings the five-year funds raised by the annual event to a total of more than $135,000.”
“The goal of the 2009 event was to match the $40,000 raised at the 2008 event, and even in tough economic times, people were generous in their support of the cause,” said Chamberlain.
Considering last year’s total included a $10,000 donation from the racing world that was not matched this year, organizers were impressed by the generosity of participants who helped AMHC set a new fund-raising record.
Beginning at with registration Saturday morning, Santerre then led participants on a 100-mile snowmobile ride, joined by members of his racing team, fellow NASCAR racing champions and team drivers, racing fans and snowmobiling aficionados. The group’s first stop was at the Washburn Trailrunners’ clubhouse. Sledders then continued on to the Chapman Trail Club for the second stop where approximately 180 sleds, including members of the local club, spelled out “MAINE” in the snow, while photographer Paul Cyr, with the help of pilot Gene Lynch II, took photos from the air. Photos of the entire ride were taken from the ground by Duane McCubrey of Photography by Duane.
Riders then continued on to Presque Isle for lunch.
“A big thank-you goes out to the Presque Isle Snowmobile Club who hosted lunch for the large group of snowmobile riders, feeding them in record time at the Aroostook Shrine Club on the Houlton Rd,” said Joe Chamberlain, event organizer.
Santerre thanked the local snowmobile clubs for making the event such a success by providing wonderfully-groomed trails for the run. Those clubs included: Caribou, Washburn, Presque Isle, the Aroostook River Club, Walker Siding Club and Chapman Trail Club.
Once lunch was finished, sledders hit the trail for the return trip to Caribou.
“Following the snowmobile ride, Andy and fellow NASCAR drivers hosted a reception and autograph session poolside at the Caribou Inn,” said Lorraine.
Festivities continued throughout the evening, with a banquet dinner and “fun-filled NASCAR memorabilia auction, featuring auctioneer Steve Richard,” said Lorraine.
The dining room was packed, with a crowd of about 280 attending the dinner and many more showing up for the charity auction.
“Steve was our auctioneer for the fifth consecutive year and did a tremendous job keeping the crowd involved,” she said.
In all, 152 lots were offered for auction, donated by ASM, NASCAR drivers and teams, local businesses, friends of AMHC and AMHC employees. Items included scale-model car replicas, clothing, collectibles and more.
“The most popular auction item was a Bell Helmet autographed by Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Mark Martin. The bidding escalated when Santerre offered to have more Cup drivers sign the helmet at the next NASCAR racing event he attends, driving the final bidding up to $1,050,” said Lorraine.
Joining Santerre for the entire event was Matt Kobyluck, 2008 Camping World East Series champion; Mike Olsen, 2001 and 2006 Busch East Series champion; Sean Caisse, NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck, Nationwide driver; Brian Ickler, Busch East driver; Corey Williams, a Pro All-Star Series South driver; Kirk Thibeau, a Pro All-Star Series driver from Aroostook County; and Team Maine Racing, a long-range endurance snowmobile racing team.
The Chamberlains credited this year’s sponsors for making the event possible.
“The 2009 annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run was sponsored by: cup sponsors — AMHC and ASM Motorsports; champion sponsors — Citadel Radio: Big Country 97/Q96.1/The Rock 102, County Sports Polaris, Clukey’s Auto Supply, Cushman’s Embroidery, Griffeth Ford/Lincoln/Mercury, Pensotti North America, S.W. Collins, TD Banknorth and WAGM TV; and team sponsors — Evergreen Trading LLC/Evergreen Manufacturing Inc., North Country Auto and Savings Bank of Maine,” said Lorraine.
The annual event is organized by the Chamberlains, with help from the AMHC Sexual Assault Services team. Santerre took a moment before the auction began to thank all who attended and everyone who made the event possible, including: the Chamberlains; AMHC staff; and his family, including his wife and business partner, Sue Santerre, who arranged for many auction items to be donated.
Santerre was also recognized for his continued support.
“We recognized Andy and Sue for their personal and professional support in helping raise funds and awareness of sexual assault services,” said Joe.
“We also recognized each event sponsor and our major volunteers, such as 27 Sign Place and the Aroostook Centre Mall, presenting each with a signed, framed Andy Santerre photo and event rack card,” said Lorraine.
Also recognized were AMHC Sexual Assault Services team members: Lydia Christie, Monique Stairs, Jolene MacCallum, Kathrine Saucier and Katie Sanborn. Thanks also went out to AMHC staff members: Michelle Reinecke, Lisa Lacasse, Tammy Kelley, Ann Hull, Cyndi Mullen and all other AMHC staff who supported the event.
“Pam Wyman was given a special thank-you gift for all her support of the event over the past five years,” noted Lorraine.
AMHC Sexual Assault Services is Aroostook County’s only rape crisis service provider offering access to support and advocacy services around the clock, 365 days a year, by calling a dedicated support line at 800-550-3304. Sexual Assault Services specialists are located in Houlton, Presque Isle, Caribou, Fort Kent and Madawaska.
Plans are already under way for next year’s event. If you’d like more information on the event or services offered by AMHC or would like to make a donation or contribute to next year’s auction, contact 498-6431.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
JAMES “JIM” McBREAIRTY, of Washburn, took to the podium, prior to AMHC’s annual auction, comparing an aging body to an older snowmobile, amusing those in attendance.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
EVENT ORGANIZER Joe Chamberlain explains signals to use on the trails, as Andy Santerre listens, prior to the start of the annual AMHC fund-raiser that bears Santerre’s name.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
MATT KOBYLUCK, at left, who will be celebrating a birthday Feb. 19, joined local racing personality Kirk Thibeau for the 5th annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run. Kobyluck, is the 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series East champion.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
BOB BESAW was one of several snowmobilers designated to help keep riders on the right trail during this year’s Sno-Run to benefit AMHC. Here, Besaw watches as participants ready their machines for the ride.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
DRIVERS LINED UP at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center Feb. 7, as they awaited their turn to hit the trail for the 5th annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run.
