On behalf of the Trekkers’ staff, students, families and auction committee, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the local businesses, organizations, and individuals who helped make our October 17th auction such a success. With the community’s support at this recent event, 73 Trekkers students raised money toward their program dues for this year. The proceeds from the auction will help these students participate in an experiential learning program, which includes ongoing mentoring and academic support, in addition to life-changing expeditions, local community service projects and outdoor-based education.

Again this year, we would like to thank the Owls Head Transportation Museum and their staff for providing a wonderful venue for the event. Special thanks to Horch Roofing for becoming a sponsor for this year’s auction, and to Laura Cabot Catering for donating a Chef’s Table dinner for four as the raffle prize. Thanks go to the volunteers from the Rockland Elks Lodge, who did a great job helping with the kitchen-related duties. Thanks to the Maine Lighthouse Museum, Samoset Resort and Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce for the usage of easels/coffee airpots, tablecloths and bidder paddles for the live event. And, many thanks to auctioneer Bruce Gamage and his wife, Becky, who did an amazing job, keeping the bidding process upbeat and moving right along.

 In addition to expressing my gratitude to the Trekkers staff, board members, and all the student and parent volunteers, I also want to thank the auction committee who helped plan this fundraising event: Cathy Ansart, Shari Closter, Kristin Gould, Dyann Peters, Shale Peters, Gail Tardif and Alli Young.

And, of course, we thank each and every person who came to enjoy the event itself. 

We were blessed with generous auction bidding and a wonderful appetizer/dessert buffet with delicious treats provided by the students’ families. Our sincere thanks go to all the area businesses, organizations and individuals who donated items or services to the auction. For a complete listing of these donors, please go to our web site www.trekkers.org and check out the auction event page. Each of us here at Trekkers truly appreciates the generosity of our donors. We encourage everyone to support these local enterprises.

As Trekkers begins another year of mentoring youth from the Midcoast area, I am once again amazed by the outpouring of support we receive from the community. Thank you to everyone involved in this year’s event for the ongoing support of our students, and for helping to make our fifth annual Trekkers auction so successful. 

Don Carpenter is executive director of Trekkers