Diamond fundraiser tops $100K for health care

HOULTON, Maine — The Health Services Foundation achieved two milestones this past week.
“As well as announcing this year’s diamond raffle winners, the Foundation also reached an amazing milestone for the 11 years this event has been held as the proceeds of over $8,000 put us at over $100,000 in monies raised from this event alone,” said Elizabeth Dulin, Foundation executive director. “That is a lot of giving back to our communities in support of our local health care providers needs.”
    The recent drawings for the Health Services Foundation’s 11th annual Diamond Raffle saw all prizes staying right in the local area once again. The winner for the diamond ring was Dr. Hassan Abouleish of Houlton; second prize, a man’s Citizens watch was won by Donna King of Houlton; third prize, the Maine tourmaline necklace, was won by Dr. Linda Maraya of Houlton; fourth prize, the Susan Komen Breast Cancer watch, went to Arthur Hall of Amity; and fifth prize, the 14 kt. gold diamond earrings went to Shelley Lane of Patten.
The drawing was special for two of the winners, as Dr. Abouleish and Arthur Hall attended and were able to walk away with prize in hand.
“As always, the Foundation is so grateful to Walter Goodrich, of Goodrich Jewelry, as Walter along with committee members works hard to ensure the success of this event in terms of all those who will benefit from this fundraiser. We are delighted that we have been able to, over the years, increase the number of prizes given out making it possible for so many more to win so much more.
“Even though our current economic times have not been the best lately, people are still willing to purchase that ticket as they know when the Foundation is doing a fund raiser it is for a really good cause,”  continued Dulin.
“We are so grateful for the continued great response we receive every year for this fund raiser. Those living in the communities who benefit from all the Foundation’s fundraisers know what it is we are trying to do when we take on campaigns for our local non-profit health care providers. They know we are doing the very best we can for our providers by assisting with funding for state-of-the-art equipment, and other vital health care projects/programs,” said Dulin.
For more information regarding Foundation fundraisers, programs/projects, contact the Foundation Office at 521-2147 or 521-2503 or visit their website at www.healthservicesfoundation.