Torrential rain and wind did nothing to dissuade the turnout for STRIVE’s 8th Annual Live & Silent Auction at Ocean Gateway on Commercial Street Wednesday night. More than 350 people attended to show their support for this organization that serves some 800 young adults with developmental disabilities.
STRIVE estimates the event raised $45,000, a new record. The theme of the evening, “Gateway to Independence, We Cannot Change the Wind but We Can Adjust Our Sails…” aptly speaks to the organization’s mission, which includes helping to improve fundamental academic skills, fostering economic opportunities through continuing education and upgrading work skills, and important family and peer support programs. For young people between the ages of 15 and 24, its impact can be life-altering.
Additional Photos
Welcoming the guests, Norway Savings Bank president Patricia Weigel spoke admiringly of STRIVE and its approach. “I really like the mission of learning to live independently, of transitioning into our communities in meaningful ways…We especially like STRIVE U and its mission. STRIVE needs our support…I challenge you to bid high and bid often, as they say.”
Weigel then introduced the evening’s special guest, Olympian Seth Wescott, who couldn’t have been more gracious as he thanked the crowd and said, “…One of the benefits of achieving success is getting involved in more communities throughout the state of Maine.” He also commented on STRIVE’s efforts with genuine praise. “Following a path of independence can be a hard thing if you don’t have support,” Wescott said. “I want to applaud all of you who support people to become independent in their own lives.”
And with that, the live auction kicked off with board president and auctioneer Jason Briggs unveiling the first item of the night up for bid, a snowboard signed and personalized by Wescott that fetched $450.
Happy to lend his celebrity to the cause, Wescott made the impromptu gesture of offering up a round of golf with himself and three others at Sugarloaf next summer. This generous act earned another $600 for STRIVE. In addition, the two-time gold medalist auctioned a helmet he wore at the Torino games, which brought another $250 into the till.
Throngs of people perused the aisles of silent auction items, ranging from restaurant gift certificates, food baskets and items for home and garden, fashion and beauty. Perhaps the most intriguing of the silent auction tables was the blind bidding, replete with boxes of varying shapes and sizes all wrapped in silver. Inside the items ranged from holiday ornaments from Springer’s to an oil change at Midas in Scarborough to tickets to Maine State Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.”
Host Jennifer Rooks of Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) took to the stage and continued the live auction, tempting guests with a Sea Dogs experience package that includes throwing out the first pitch, the option for your little one to be the bat boy/girl for the entire game, and the Yaz Skybox, which comes with 22 tickets. Donated by Unum and the Portland Sea Dogs, this package took in $450. Other live auction items included many vacation get-aways, a lobster bake for 20, tickets to the New England Patriots, and a hot-air balloon ride.
The most poignant moment of the night came during the Words of Gratitude by STRIVE students. Cassie Wagner, a third-year student of STRIVE U, spoke about her experience there. “I want to be more independent, get my own apartment and be successful,” she said to the attentive audience. “I get more responsible at STRIVE U. It keeps me away from my parents (laughter)… to live on my own. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is hard.”
Jimmy Makowiecki, another student at STRIVE U who recently moved to Maine from Texas with his parents, summed it up nicely when he said, “I like people in Maine. They are very nice and I can see myself being friends with them for a very long time.”
Margaret Logan is a freelance writer who lives in Scarborough. She can be reached at:
margaretlogan.squarespace.com
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.