AMHC Sno-Run gets early donation from KeyBank

AMHC’s seventh annual Andy Santerre Sno-Run may be almost a month away, but fundraising efforts have gotten off to a great start with a donation last week of $5,000 from KeyBank.
    “Steve Gagnon and Steve St. Pierre, both of KeyBank, presented AMHC with a check for $5,000. This makes the bank a Gold Cup Sponsor for the Andy Santerre Sno-Run supporting AMHC’s sexual assault services,” said Lorraine Chamberlain, LCSW, director of outpatient operations and emergency services at AMHC. Chamberlain and her husband, Joe Chamberlain, are event co-organizers.
This year’s charity event will once again be held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center on Saturday, Feb. 12.
“The event promises to be another jam-packed day filled with fun and excitement for all ages. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness and money for AMHC’s sexual assault victim services in Aroostook County, benefiting anyone in need of help and support — whether it be a family member, neighbor or total stranger,” said Lorraine Chamberlain.
Hosted by AMHC and Andy Santerre Motorsports-ASM, the event will kick off with a 100-mile snowmobile run led by four-time Busch East Champion, ASM owner and event leader Andy Santerre. The event day also offers an autograph session, social hour, benefit dinner and charity auction.
Lunch will be hosted this year by the Chapman Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club. Since the event started in 2004, hundreds of riders have participated in the Sno-Run event.
“There is no limit to the number of snowmobilers who can ride on event day. After the ride, Andy, as well as several other members of the racing world, will sign autographs at the social hour (held back at the Caribou Inn),” said Joe Chamberlain, who manages the run-related activities away from the Inn.
The social hour will offer entertainment and a sneak peak at some of the items that will be available for bid during the auction, which follows a delicious sit-down dinner.
“In our past charity auctions there have been many authentic autographed NASCAR items along with gas cards, gift certificates, paintings, craft items and more — all donated by Aroostook County businesses and artists. There is something of value for everyone,” said Lorraine Chamberlain, who manages festivities back at the Caribou Inn.
As items are donated for the auction, certain donations will be posted on AMHC’s website at www.amhc.org.
The Chamberlains agreed the Sno-Run’s success is due, in part, to the generous donations from event sponsors, including KeyBank and others.
In advance of the event, AMHC is selling raffle tickets for a 2011 Polaris Youth 120 snowmobile donated by County Sports Polaris of Caribou.
“Tickets for the youth snowmobile are $5 apiece or three tickets for $10. Also being raffled is a 27-inch by 20-inch square custom-made bird feeder crafted by Bill Landes of Caribou. Tickets are $1 apiece or six tickets for $5. Raffle winners do not have to be present to win,” said Joe Chamberlain.
Tickets for the Sno-Run ride and dinner/auction are sold separately at a cost of $30 for the ride and $25 for the dinner/auction. To buy event and raffle tickets, contact Stacie Seaman at AMHC at 498-6431 or via e-mail at sseaman@amhc.org or contact Dave Moreau at County Sports Polaris. For more information about the Sno-Run event activities or how to become a sponsor or make a donation, visit the AMHC website.
Each year, as enthusiasm and participation increased, so too the amount raised has grown. But organizers acknowledge fundraising efforts haven’t been able to keep up with the need, due to rising expenses and federal and state funding cuts. In 2005 — the first year of the event — $10,000 was raised. The figure has increased each year as follows: 2006, $22,500; 2007, $25,000; 2008, $40,000; 2009, $42,500; and 2010, $47,000 — for a grand total of $187,000. Specifically, moneys raised are earmarked to help to pay for increased education for children, teens and families about the risk factors associated with sexual assault and to develop support groups for children and parents to support them to gain skills they need to talk about and try to heal from the trauma of sexual assault. Sexual assault services (SAS) has already planned educational opportunities with local recreation centers and with local universities to host education seminars to improve outreach and awareness.
“AMHC is the only sexual assault service provider in Aroostook County. Over the last six years, the Sno-Run event has raised more than $180,000 to support victims of sexual assault to navigate the law enforcement and judicial system when seeking to charge and prosecute their offenders,” said Lorraine Chamberlain.