PORTLAND — American Legion Post 205 Augusta Legionnaire Donald Demers, along with five others, were presented with the We Who Care Award accompanied by $1,000 from WGME-TV during a ceremony held at the Portland Museum of Art Monday night.

The other recipients were Christina Bourassa, founder of Buttons for Babes in Franklin County, Patty Hagge from the Telling Room in Portland, Nancy Hibbard, a 25-year volunteer at Camp Sunshine, and Hugh Tozier, founder of Konbit Sante in Haiti. The Southern Area on Agency received the We Who Care agency award.

Each recipient was recognized for outstanding service to the community. Demers was cited for contributing more that 1,000 volunteer hours at Togus VA Medical Center. The staff at Togus VA hospital described him as having a “quiet demeanor and a hearty sense of humor, he puts those he serves at ease. A U.S. Naval veteran, Don is often the first person with whom patients interact with upon arrival, greeting them with a genuine, ‘How can I help you?’”

In addition to volunteer work at Togus, Demers also volunteers his time at the Kennebec Valley Human Society walking dogs, cleaning cages, playing with the cats, and taking photos of the animals to help them find a “forever home.” Also, for the past 15 years, Legionnaire Demers has served as an adult supervisor for Boys Scout Troop 602 sponsored by American Legion Post 205 in Augusta.

He also spearheaded the collection of more than 4,000 used cell phones to be sold to salvage vendors in return for $50 prepaid calling cards sent to soldiers, sailors and Marines deployed to combat areas overseas. To date, the program has raised more that $175,000 in prepaid calling cards.

American Legion Maine State Commander John Hargreaves said Demers embodies the Four Pillars of the American Legion to include service to veterans, community, children and nation. “We are all very to stand next to our comrade American Legionnaire Don Demers.”

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