SOUTH PORTLAND – Maine’s credit unions raised a record $446,929 in their annual Campaign for Ending Hunger.
The results were announced during a recent gathering at South Portland’s Marriott Hotel featuring remarks by award-winning author Ernest Thompson, writer of the play “On Golden Pond,” which became a classic film.
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At the event, credit unions were recognized for their success in reaching a new high for fundraising to relieve hunger in Maine. The campaign record of a year ago was topped by nearly $45,000, or 11 percent. Organizations will use the money to buy $5 million worth of food, providing more than 1.5 million meals to hungry Mainers, said John Murphy, president of the Maine Credit Union League.
“The generosity of the over 615,000 credit union members in Maine is extraordinary,” Murphy said in a news release. “This marks the 16th consecutive year that the campaign has raised a record-setting total.” Murphy said the campaign surpassed the $4 million mark in funds raised since the effort began, calling it “a remarkable effort in such a challenging economy.”
More than 100 people attended Monday’s event. The keynote address was given by Thompson, who won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for writing the screenplay for “On Golden Pond,” which is based on his summers at Belgrade Lakes in Maine.
At the event, Thompson praised the credit unions for “taking time to help the people next door – your neighbors.” He talked about a family who lived next door to him in rural New Hampshire who often didn’t have enough to eat.
“Your willingness to do the work it takes to be generous and help people have enough to eat takes courage and integrity, especially when you’ve had no training for it,” Thompson told his audience. “I admire your kindness and generosity in crossing the bridge for the people next door, and offering your help. I am proud to be here to today to celebrate the fruits of your extraordinary efforts. Congratulations to Maine’s credit unions.”
Staff Writer Melanie Creamer can be contacted at 791-6361 or at:
mcreamer@pressherald.com
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