Thank you from Rightstart

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Board of Directors of Rightstart, Inc., Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens programs, we would like to thank the many schools, businesses, banks, credit unions, churches, civic groups and individuals in the Oxford Hills community as well as individuals who live outside the Oxford Hills for their support of these programs. Rightstart is an all volunteer organization serving children and teens in the Oxford Hills.

We are grateful to the families of Reed Saunders and Helen Morse for encouraging folks to give to Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens in their loved one’s memory.

From cash donations, gifts of toys, hand knit mittens and scarves, discounts at area stores, plus shopping assistance, once again our community joined together to help over 700 children and teens in the Oxford Hills enjoy Christmas 2010.

Thank you to Black Bear Entertainment for their contribution to Christmas for Teens. A special thanks to Ena Derenburger and the folks at Turn Key Homes for shopping and coordinating the donations from Black Bear Entertainment to Christmas for Kids.

We would like to thank the Advertiser Democrat and Lewiston Sun Journal for their coverage of our programs. Thank you to Community Concepts for their help in getting and receiving applications to our programs. Thank you to Speedway, Inc. and Ken & Thom’s Floor Covering for their donation of space to organize and distribute gifts. Also a special thanks to Donita and Jane, receptionists at Community Concepts as well as Rhonda and Thom Maher of Ken and Thom’s Floor Covering for their help throughout the Christmas season. Thank you to Bob Bahre for the space he allows us to use for the Christmas for Kids program. We extend a special thanks to Hannaford’s of Oxford, Books-n-Things, Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce and Wal-mart. Thank you to Swinging Bears for their annual contribution of stuffed toys.

Last but not least a big thank you to Sue Batchelder for all the time, talent and energy she put into the program and to Bob and Jill Bean and granddaughter, Ellie Bessette, Wendy Williams, Carol Huotari, Danette Benoit and CeCe Adamson for their help putting the gifts together. We appreciate the support of the entire Oxford Hills community.

Rightstart Board of Directors

Connie Allen

Jean Delamater

Karen Ellis

Carlene Treadwell

Doreen Tibbetts

John Williams

Wendy Williams