CAMP Bowl-A-Thon a success

    PRESQUE ISLE – Despite the faltering economy, Aroostook County residents continue to support activities like the Central Aroostook Mentoring Program, which provides needed volunteer role-models for children ages 7 to 18 in the central Aroostook area.     Saturday, March 14, over 50 people participated in the 7th annual CAMP Bowl-A-Thon held at Northern Lanes in Presque Isle. Each bowler brought in pledges to CAMP for a total of over $4000 collected from area residents in central Aroostook.
    That amount, added to the $3000 collected in Lane, Event and CAMP sponsorships from local businesses, provided a total of $7000 to help support CAMP. Eight out of twelve of the teams participating in the Bowl-A-Thon came from local Katahdin Trust branches.
    The two top team fundraisers and trophy winners, Strike Zone raising $817.50 and Gutter Ball Gang raising $745, were Katahdin Trust teams. Danielle Brewer was the top individual fundraiser bringing in $385, and Kevin Plourde followed her with $320.
    The money raised in the Bowl-A-Thon is used to cover operating expenses for CAMP. This organization provides an opportunity for individuals in our community to share time and experiences one-to-one with a child who wants an older friend. Each mentor goes through a thorough background check and receives training to work with the child they are matched with.
    CAMP’s vision is that no child should face growing up without an appropriate role model actively participating in his/her life. Mentoring is a caring, committed, formal, long-term personal relationship between a young person and an older one, which helps the young person develop into a confident, competent and contributing member of society.
    Matches are made by activity interests, providing an opportunity for the adult to share what they know about and their time with a child. Many mentors and mentees enjoy shopping together, swimming, cooking, playing cards and board games, skiing, hiking, kite flying, day trips to Bangor’s museums and attending local events. Each mentor tries to spend between 3-5 hours each week with their mentee for one year.
    Another faithful supporter of CAMP has been the Crown of Maine Quilt Chapter of the Pine Tree Quilt Guild. The 35 members of this 32 year old organization come from the communities of Ashland, Madawaska, Mapleton, Fort Fairfield, Woodland, Portage, Wade, St. David, Limestone, Presque Isle, Caribou, Washburn, Connor, Stockholm, Chapman, Masardis, California Settlement and Perth Andover, New Brunswick, as well as one member from Indiana. Crown of Maine Quilt Chapter meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 in the Methodist church in Caribou or Presque Isle, alternately. For more information please call Sheila at 498-8682. Everyone is welcome to the meetings.
    The Crown of Maine Quilt Chapter donated a quilt in 2005 to CAMP for a raffle which net about $800, and has now donated another excellent quality full/queen size quilt which hopefully will net between $1000-2000. The quilt will be on display at local banks and businesses throughout central Aroostook until the drawing on September 1, 2009. Tickets are $3 each or 2 for $5 and can be obtained by calling 764-3721, Ext. 610 or at any of the sites it is displayed. Some members of CAMP will also have tickets available.
    Anyone interested in becoming a mentor or having a child mentored should contact Carolyn at the ACAP building, call 764-3721, Ext 610 or email at camp@acap-me.org.  
    It may be the most rewarding contact you’ve ever made!