Lewiston, ME – The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation is proud to announce its official launch today. Established in light of the mass shooting that took place in Lewiston, ME on October 25th, 2023, the organization seeks to provide temporary financial relief to Maine families that are touched by unexpected tragedy.
In November 2023, just two weeks after the tragic Lewiston shooting, a softball tournament was organized to raise funds for the victims and survivors. Initially planned as a small event to support the families of two victims, Joe Walker and Ron Morin, the tournament quickly expanded to include 25 teams and gained the support of Hammond Lumber Company as its presenting sponsor. The benefit event successfully raised an impressive $207,853 to support the families of all 18 victims and the survivors.
"Seeing the community unite in the midst of profound grief was truly remarkable," said Abby Cote, President of The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation. "This solidarity is a testament to the resilience of Mainers and the values we uphold. This collective strength inspired us to establish a formal foundation, and we are eager to make a meaningful difference across Maine by providing temporary financial relief to families facing unexpected tragedies."
The newly established nonprofit will concentrate on raising funds through annual events and providing donation matches. In 2024, the primary focus will be on a single event—a softball tournament scheduled for October 12th and 13th. The main recipients of the funds raised during the 2024 tournament will be the families of the 18 victims and survivors.
Looking ahead, the fundraising goals for 2025 and beyond will expand to offer temporary financial assistance to anyone in the state of Maine affected by unforeseen tragedy (with criteria to be determined). A small portion of the funds raised from the 2024 event will be reserved to create an initial financial pool for future initiatives.
To learn more about The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation, and how to get involved, please visit mainestrongfoundation.org or contact mainestrongmarketing@gmail.com.
About The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation:
The Maine Strong Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization, focused on providing temporary financial relief to Maine families that are touched by unexpected tragedy. Established in 2024, the organization aims to raise funds through annual events to provide donations matches. For more information, visit mainestrongfoundation.org.
About Hammond Lumber Company
Hammond Lumber Company was founded in 1953 by Skip and Verna Hammond with a single sawmill in Belgrade, Maine. Today, the fourth-generation, family-owned is one of the largest independent lumber and building material retailers in the northeast with over 900 employees and 22 locations across Maine and New Hampshire. Hammond Lumber Company carries a full line of building materials, millwork, kitchen, bath and flooring products, and is a quality manufacturer of eastern white pine. Hammond has multiple Kitchen, Bath & Flooring Design Centers and showrooms, Home Planning Design Centers, and millwork showrooms across the State. Hammond is the 17th largest pro dealer and lumberyard in the nation by 2022 sales according to the LBM Journal 100. The building material supply company has received numerous awards, including 2020 ProSales Dealer of the Year, Best Places to Work in Maine in 2021, 2022, and 2023, Best Company to Work For in New Hampshire in 2023, National Safety Council's 2023 Occupational Excellence Achievement Award and 2023 Industry Leader Award, and NeLMA’s 2023 Outstanding Safety Performance Award. Learn more at www.hammondlumber.com.
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