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from the island. Hal Biering,
an unpaid volunteer who has been working on the restoration for over four
years says the group could use someone to donate the entire cost of the
pier, which is estimated to be around $65,000.00, or someone to donate the
materials and others to donate the labor.
Also high on the list is a 14 or
16-foot boat with an outboard engine with electric start and electric lift.
Biering said since most of the volunteers are older retirees, the electric
start and electronic lift engine are vital.
Other items include large braided
area rugs for the bedrooms and living room, two single beds with frames, box
springs and mattresses, or bunk |
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Photo by Tim Harrison
Little River Lighthouse
Cutler, Maine
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beds, an emergency portable
VHF radio, materials to build a barn or storage shed, a portable
defibrillator, portable sound system to be used for public events, a
large generator, and outdoor light weight folding chairs.
Some items may seem
inconsequential to the average person said volunteer Kathleen Finnegan,
“But they are all important to make |
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this restoration dream a reality and we need the public’s
help, plus all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.”
There are many ways that people can
help out, said Finnegan. “For example, Hal Biering, one of our main
volunteers, recently celebrated his 80th birthday. Instead of
gifts, he requested that people make a donation to the Friends of Little
River Lighthouse. An amazing $725.00 in donations came in for his birthday.”
Not only does Biering donate his
time, he also purchased a picnic table out of his own money for the island.
Upon hearing of this; a couple in New Hampshire, who visited the island six
years ago, donated a portable folding picnic table and three other people
from New York, who visited last year, pitched in to buy another one and this
week, said Finnegan, “An 83-year old retired lady from Michigan called and
said she would send in the money to buy another picnic table for the island
lighthouse.”
Tim Harrison, a leader of the
volunteer group, said, “All we need to do is to be able to get more people
out to the island; once they see this historic and beautiful site, they’ll
want to help. A couple from Illinois that visited a few weeks ago, heard
about all the hard work that has gone into the project and left a $100.00
donation. I like to say, Little River Light Station is where strangers meet
and leave as life-long friends.”
Volunteers are also needed on a
regular basis to help keep the island clean from debris, mow the lawn on a
regular basis, paint, and keep the house and the tower clean. Pat Vachon,
who came out for a few days to work on the island from New Hampshire with
her husband, said, “When I come out here to work, it’s not really work, it’s
fun.”
For more information or to help
make the
“Wish List” a reality, people can call
207-259-3638 or send a donation to Friends of Little River Lighthouse, P. O.
Box 671, East Machias, ME 04630.
Posted: 7/24/2007 |
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