Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Racing enthusiasts, snowmobilers and the general public will have an opportunity come Saturday, Feb. 6, to help victims of sexual assault gain access to much-needed services by taking part in the sixth annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run, a fund-raiser that’s raised over $100,000 for Aroostook Mental Health Center to provide sexual assault services to victims in Aroostook County. Joining Santerre will be several of his friends from the racing world, including the grandson of racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. “Jeffrey Earnhardt, grandson of seven-time NASCAR champion/legend Dale Earnhardt Sr., will join four-time Busch East Series champion Andy Santerre to participate in the 2010 annual event,” said Joe Chamberlain, event organizer.
According to Chamberlain, Earnhardt so enjoyed his first visit to Aroostook County two years ago, he was hoping to someday do it again.
“After participating in the 2008 event, Jeffrey stated ‘this was a whole lot of fun and I would like to return in the future to support this cause,’ and now he is,” said Chamberlain.
Santerre has several racing friends lined up to join him at the day-long festivities.
“Along with Jeffrey, Andy assured me he would again return with a group of racecar owners, crew members and participants from all over the country to support this fund-raiser,” Chamberlain said.
A local photographer is once again planning to get an aerial shot of snowmobilers taking part in the ride.
“I met with Paul Cyr, of Presque Isle. He’s planning on flying again to get air pics,” he said.
The list of sponsors continues to grow each year, from banks to building supply companies, car dealers to a cart parts store.
“The event is sponsored by KeyBank of Maine, County Sports Polaris, Andy Santerre Motorsports, Citadel Broadcasting, S.W. Collins, Griffeth Ford/Lincoln/Mercury/Honda, Clukey’s Auto Supply, TDBank, Pensotti North America, Sign Place, Cushman’s Embroidery, Aroostook Centre Mall and other supporting sponsors,” he said.
Among items donated for this year’s event is a child’s snowmobile donated by County Sports.
“The sled’s worth about $2,400. Last year we raised over $3,000 (selling tickets on it). We proved to them (County Sports) that we can raise enough money to cover the cost of it,” Chamberlain said.
The day will kick off with registration near the pool at Caribou Inn and Convention Center at 8:30 a.m. The Sno-Run ride will begin at 10 a.m. and end at the Caribou Inn, with a pit stop at the Washburn Trailrunners’ clubhouse for a quick lunch around noon. This year’s ride will take riders north, circling back through Washburn, then return to Caribou.
“The Washburn club has been supportive of our fund-raiser since Day One,” he said. “Jim McBreairty’s family is planning to attend and we have something planned to honor him.”
McBreairty was instrumental in establishing the snowmobile trail system in Aroostook County and had been a supporter of the annual fund-raiser.
After the ride, festivities will continue poolside, with an autograph session planned prior to the dinner and auction.
“An autograph session/social hour is scheduled for later in the afternoon at the Caribou Inn, followed by a delicious buffet meal. The evening will conclude with a charity auction where participants will be able to bid on some one-of-a-kind items, such as NASCAR memorabilia, along with many other donated items from local artisans and businesses,” said Chamberlain.
Organizers welcome donations for this fund-raiser as well as the charity auction.
“At this point, we have a sell-out crowd, as it has been in the past four out of five years running, with 300 attending this event. The Caribou Inn has graciously expanded our seating capacity, allowing us to add about 20 additional seats for the dinner and auction,” said Chamberlain.
Officials are hoping for another successful event again this year.
“If the public continues to be as supportive as they have in the past, we’d like to be able to match last year’s figure. We raised $42,500 in 2009. That would be a dream come true,” said Chamberlain.
As many in the community may be aware, sexual assault services in Maine are scheduled for additional cuts in funding this year, due to the state budget shortfall, said Chamberlain.
“This event becomes even more important to maintain access to free services 24/7/365, either by face-to-face advocacy or telephone contact for all victims who have been sexually assaulted, specifically children, where no other funding resources are available other than this one-time event,” said Chamberlain.
Public support is critical, said Chamberlain, if AMHC is to continue providing these services.
“Every dollar contributed could be going to help your neighbor, co-worker, friend or even a relative. The money raised does make a difference in someone’s life. It could be someone near and dear. Your support may benefit a total stranger or it could help someone close to you,” Chamberlain said.
Recent snowfall was met with enthusiasm by event organizers, with credit for the timely storm going to a higher power.
“The snow that fell recently helped put a much-needed layer on area trails,” said Chamberlain. “My wife’s mother, who lives in Florida, put in a prayer for us to have ample snow for the event. It worked.”
AMHC’s Sexual Assault Services is the only provider of such services in Aroostook County. For more information, call 800-550-3304.
The fund-raising event will begin around 8 a.m. Saturday. The full day of events will be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center, with proceeds benefiting the AMHC program. Call 498-6431 or go to www.amhc.org for ride, dinner/auction or raffle tickets on a 2010 Polaris Dragon 120 youth snowmobile donated by County Sports Polaris, of Caribou, that will be awarded to a lucky winner the evening of the event. You do not have to be present to win.
