Dead River Company donates to charities

Company gives $7,900 to 24 Maine groups
    As one of Northern New England’s leading suppliers of petroleum products and services, Dead River Company has spread lots of warmth to people across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont over the last 100 years. In its ongoing commitment to the communities it serves, Dead River Company launched in October, “Share the Warmth,” a charitable giving program inviting local residents — customers and non-customers — to “Like” the company on Facebook and follow clues to find 20 randomly hidden $500 charitable certificates. The finders could then donate the money to a 501(c)(3) organization of their choice. The effort concluded on Nov, 19 and in only five weeks, more than 800 individuals joined the cause and helped to donate $12,500 to 34 charities in the tri-state area just in time for the holidays.
    Dead River Company chose to hide the charitable certificates either in the town its districts offices are located in or in a district office’s neighboring town. In Maine, Dead River Company hid 14 of the 20 $500 charitable certificates in the following locations: Bethel, Brewer, Brunswick, Calais, Ellsworth, Houlton, Kittery, Madawaska, Millinocket, Norway, Presque Isle, Saco, Scarborough and Waterville. With the help of its Facebook fans, 24 Maine charities received a total of $7,900.
    “It was a great day when we learned a little girl and her mother participating in the Dead River Company Share the Warmth initiative had decided to donate the $500 they had found to us,” said Tracy Shaw, Director of the Hancock County SPCA in Trenton. “We are thankful to be the lucky recipient of this donation, and it was wonderful how Dead River Company used this effort to connect so many in the community. We care for at least 50 animals every day, and this money will help provide food and medical expenses associated with their care in our expanded facility.”
    The certificates were in the form of a four-foot-tall cardboard cutout of a 27-year veteran delivery driver named Arthur who became the face of the effort. The individuals who found the hidden charitable certificates, valued at $500 each, selected the following local organizations to assist: Bread of Life Soup Kitchen (Caribou), $500; Historical Society of Caribou, $500; Salvation Army (Houlton), $500.
    Additionally, Dead River Company donated $100 to charities selected by the businesses that helped in the Share the Warmth effort by hiding the certificates/Arthur at their locations.
    “We were one of the businesses that hid Arthur, and it was fun having him in my office and exciting when he was found,” said Gail Clukey of Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle. “We were also delighted to learn that Dead River Company was willing to donate $100 to a charity of our choice. My husband Tom and I selected The Sunshine Club for Children because I’m an active volunteer with that organization. Its primary mission is to provide transportation to the Shriners Springfield Orthopedic Hospital and the Shriners Boston Burn Center for the patient and one adult parent or guardian. In this economic environment, every little bit helps and we thank the Dead River Company.”
    Below is a list of local organizations that were among those chosen by the participating businesses that hid the Arthur cutouts. Each non-profit received a $100 donation — St. Mary’s Food Pantry (Houlton); The Sunshine Club for Children (Presque Isle); and Toys for Tots.
    “We’re a company that always keeps our customers, neighbors and communities in mind,” said Robert Moore, president, Dead River Company. “Giving back is integral to what we do, and that is why we created Share the Warmth. We couldn’t be happier with the support we got from participants, and the significant impact we were able to make. Thanks to the many people who helped make this possible.”