CAMDEN — Community members enthusiastically gathered at the Snow Bowl, Saturday, Nov. 16, and together raised $7,709 for the new Camden-Rockport Middle School’s playground equipment, furniture, athletic fields, theater lighting, and an art sculpture.

Everyone was bundled up to enjoy the s’mores bar and bonfire outside. Attendees also gathered inside to grab some food or a drink and chat with others. They navigated the room to the merchandise tables and purchased special edition prints, T-shirts, or their own copies of If I Built a School.

Chris Van Dusen autographed merchandise.

In addition, several seats in the new Bisbee Theater were sold as part of the Take-a-Seat campaign which is raising funds for the same purpose.

Later in the afternoon, kids of all ages gathered in a circle and let their imaginations run wild as they listened to Van Dusen read his illustrated book aloud. After the story, eager bidders gathered for the live auction of the one-of-a-kind print from If I Built a School. The final bid was a collective donation from members of the community who then donated the print to the new middle school.

“It was a brisk, but sunny afternoon and a fun community event,” said a news release. “We thank the Fundraising Committee for putting together a nice event, the community for coming out to purchase and donate, and the Van Dusens for their generous support.”

The CRMS Fundraising Committee is actively working to raise $510,000 to fund playground equipment, furniture, athletic fields, theater lighting and an art sculpture for the new middle school through various fundraising efforts.

For more information on how to make a donation, contact Patrick McCafferty at Patrick.mccafferty@fivetowns.net or Heddy Snyder at hdb8@yahoo.com.