Maine’s Boon Island to Shore to Benefit ALF
Lighthouses
Boon Island may be Maine’s tallest lighthouse, but even a
towering sentinel like the rugged 1855 seacoast guardian needs plenty of
support from community friends to help its caretakers – the nonprofit
American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF), save it for future generations.
Lifelong York resident Wendy Moulton Starkey is determined to be such a
friend, but rather than “hitting the road” to raise this all-important
message within both the local community and throughout the state, this
courageous woman is taking to the water.
On August 26, 2006 Ms. Starkey,
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Boon Island Lighthouse off the southern
coast of Maine
who is an Associate Attorney with Erwin, Ott, Clark, Orso & Campbell, is
planning to snorkel a 9.5 mile distance from the legendary Boon Island
Light out in the Atlantic Ocean to York Beach in an effort to raise money
for the mission of the American Lighthouse Foundation. The organization
cares for 23 lighthouses throughout New England, with nearly half of them
(11) being located in the state of Maine, including the 133-foot Boon Island
Light. ALF also owns and operates the Museum of Lighthouse History in Wells,
Maine.
So just why is Ms. Starkey’s exciting undertaking so important to the
American Lighthouse Foundation and the future of Maine’s historic
lighthouses? For starters, the organization has a stellar track record when
it comes to saving lighthouses; however, the cost of this success comes at a
very high price, which must be funded by individuals, businesses and
government entities sympathetic to historic preservation and lighthouse
education. By Ms. Starkey stepping forward to show her admiration and
commitment for Maine’s lighthouses through a project designed to raise money
for these beacons of the sea, it not only helps raise greater community
awareness for the plight of lighthouses like Boon Island, but also
desperately needed funds to support the organization’s diverse projects.
“It is so exciting and encouraging to see someone put their passion into
action,” says Sylvia Paneris, vice president of the American Lighthouse
Wendy Moulton Starkey's snorkel will
benefit the mission of the American Lighthouse Foundation
Foundation. “Many people say they want to be involved in
a cause, but it is only a passing fancy. Wendy has taken her love of
lighthouses to the ultimate level by volunteering for this snorkel to
raise funds and to help educate the community about the need for support
in preserving our lighthouse heritage.”
The American Lighthouse Foundation is currently working
with the office of U.S. Senator Susan M. Collins in an effort to obtain
vital Federal financial support for ,
the Maine lighthouses under the organization’s auspices but until this goal
is reached, the group continues to support its daunting mission solely on
private sector contributions. It is very evident throughout the twelve-year
history of ALF that community members have made a huge difference as
“keepers” in saving the state’s rich lighthouse heritage, therefore ALF is
seeking more intrepid individuals like Ms. Starkey who are willing to step
forward and lend a helping hand to preserve these icons of Maine’s rocky
coastline.
“Through Wendy’s efforts we hope this will be the start of a new chapter –
‘Lawyers for Lighthouses,’ to help our organization raise critical funds for
lighthouse preservation in Maine,” says Timothy Harrison, president of the
American Lighthouse Foundation. “We also hope that Wendy’s initiative will
inspire other professionals (teachers, doctors, CEO’s, scientists, etc.) to
support the American Lighthouse Foundation’s efforts to save lighthouses and
the history associated with them. Lighthouse preservation needs the
financial support of the professional business community to help an
organization like ALF grow and sustain its mission.”
Ms. Starkey, who enjoys practicing law in the York community where she has
so many connections (she graduated from the University of Maine School of
Law in 2003), looks forward to the challenge of a Boon Island to
Nubble snorkel to help ALF lighthouses. A high school
friend, Jeff Patten, will be joining her and is planning to swim the
distance from Boon Island to York Beach in an effort to benefit the York
Hospital. Together they will begin their adventure in the long shadow
cast by Boon Island Lighthouse out at sea, before setting their sights
on the golden sands of York Beach to help two community causes they
strongly believe in.
For every serious endeavor like
lighthouse preservation, there must also be that ever-vital element of
fun, too. Fortunately, Ms. Starkey’s project has it all – cause,
challenge and fun! In support of Ms. Starkey’s fundraising challenge on
August 26, 2006, a friend has made the first sponsorship
Photo by Sylvia Paneris
Wendy Moulton Starkey shown practicing
her snorkel technique at Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York, Maine
donation ($250), procuring her an
honorary citizenship in the Republic of Boon Island and the enviable title
of “Chief of Fashion Police” at the same time, since the day’s event will
originate at Boon Island Lighthouse.
Back in 2003 the American Lighthouse Foundation launched an exciting
fundraising initiative called the Republic of Boon Island in an effort to
raise public awareness and funds for Boon Island Lighthouse. ALF president
Timothy Harrison explains, noting, “Time is never on the side of lighthouse
preservation projects, and this is especially true for beacons as remote and
difficult to access as Boon Island. In an effort to help boost awareness for
such offshore guardians, the American Lighthouse Foundation created the
‘Republic of Boon Island’ as a fun way of soliciting donations for their
serious plight.”
Harrison, who masquerades as the
Regent for the Republic of Boon Island, went on to state, “We declared Boon
Island an ‘independent nation’ from the United States and installed a
‘corrupt government’ that would accept any ‘bribe’ when it came to
purchasing an office within that government. This was all in jest of course,
but it is a fun way of bringing serious attention to the importance of
saving Boon Island Lighthouse.”
The more businesses and individuals
that show their support for Wendy Moulton Starkey’s exciting benefit snorkel
to help the American Lighthouse Foundation and lighthouses like Boon Island,
the more critical restoration work can be done to help Maine’s historic
lighthouses stand tall and shine brightly for future generations.
To become a sponsor call the
American Lighthouse Foundation at (207) 646-0245, use the PayPal button
below or this printable sponsor form:
Sponsor Wendy's Snorkel Form
