AUGUSTA — Recipients of the 2012 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service throughout Maine were recognized during an April 19 ceremony at the Statehouse.
Auburn: Good Shepherd Food Bank has collected and distributed food throughout Maine for more than 15 years.
Bowdoinham: Bowdoinham 250th Anniversary Celebration has provided several activities for folks to enjoy.
Durham: Kaitlin Johnson, a dedicated girl scout, spearheaded a community effort to clean up property.
Fayette: Eric and Carlene Davenport have done much fundraising for Fayette’s “Keep Me Warm” effort.
Greene: The Araxine Wilkins Sawyer Foundation Trustees oversee a group inspiring travel and music.
Leeds: Rural Community Action Ministry has operated 40-plus years, supports and maintains 13 food banks.
Lewiston: The Jesus Party is an inner city youth outreach program serving its community for more than 15 years.
Lisbon: Joanne Campbell has dedicated a great deal of time and effort to helping kids at risk programs.
Litchfield: Pat Bailey conducts weekly rehearsals for the Carol Bailey String Band and chorus.
Litchfield: Scott and Penny Bennington have made very generous donations to Litchfield’s fuel fund.
Litchfield: Darryl Ellis has secured money for the Fire Department through the many grants he has written.
Litchfield: Eldon Harvey always gives a hand when someone needs something welded, mowed or moved.
Litchfield: Earl Lamoreau can be counted on to help whenever the town needs a warden, a moderator, etc.
Litchfield: Lisa and Ron Ridley recently held a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis featuring a pig roast and band.
Litchfield: Beth Roberts has dedicated more than 30 years of her life to missionary service in foreign countries.
Litchfield: Judy Rogers has served on the planning board for 12-plus years; she also lets people hike and sled on the family’s farm.
Litchfield: Fay Smith has been volunteering at the Togus Veterans Administration Hospital for 50 years.
Litchfield: Tim Tracy over the years has spent many hours mapping out and working on snowmobile trails.
Litchfield: Dot Vachon has been a dedicated leader of the Senior Steppers line dancing group for a long time.
Litchfield: Donald Vannah is an all-around handyman who has been caring for Plains Cemetery for years.
Litchfield: Darryl Zeleniak annually sets up a synchronized Christmas display in his office for folks to enjoy.
Livermore: Donald Castonguay has given years of dedicated service as chief of Livermore Fire Department.
Livermore Falls: Dennis Stires created History Night and has helped Maine Paper and Heritage Museum for years.
Mechanic Falls: Pink Feather Foundation is a new group helping the less fortunate with food baskets plus more.
Mount Vernon: Mount Vernon Fire Department has been serving its community faithfully for more than 85 years.
New Portland: New Portland Lions Fair, a huge celebration, has raised money for Lions charities for 75-plus years.
Poland: Poland Spring Preservation Society protects and preserves the Maine State Building and All Souls Chapel.
Readfield: Robin Lint, Deborah Nichols and Teresa Shaw organized a benefit supper to assist the local fuel assistance program.
Readfield: John Perry has spent much time helping town committees and other local groups over the years.
Readfield: Readfield Auxiliary has given a lot of assistance to the local annual Heritage Day celebration.
Readfield: Milton Wright has served on a number of committees and boards of the town.
Sabattus: Russ Stewart, a devoted pastor, has significantly helped the food pantry at his Baptist Church.
Starks: Rick and Dorothy Fayen have done so much for the community center, library and other causes.
Turner: Turner Sons of the American Legion Post 111 raised funds for a memorial dedicated to vets.
Turner: Ladies Auxiliary organized dances and other fundraisers to assist Post 111 in its memorial efforts.
Vienna: Carole O’Connell has done much research and organized many events for the Vienna Historical Society.
Wayne: Wayne Town House Committee has done fundraising and much more to restore that building.
Wilton: East Wilton Extension Homemakers raised money toward a reading machine for ALS sufferers.
Wilton: Tyngtown Club runs an annual golf tournament to raise funds for the Wilton Library and scholarships.
Wilton: Wilton Lions has run many community service projects over the years to help charitable causes.
Winthrop: Charlie Gove has volunteered at Winthrop Food Pantry and at Meals on Wheels for Rotary Club.
Winthrop: Robert Pelletier chaired and resurrected the local hot lunch program and has done many other things.
Winthrop: Mark Seger has been helping homeless veterans find places to live; he also volunteers at the annual VA fair.
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