October is a month of many observances for a variety of causes, organizations, foundations and professions ranging from the well-known Breast Cancer Awareness Month to the lesser-known American Pharmacist Month.
It is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
For Robin Dow of Searsmont, it is a small, quiet, low-budget Maine foundation that is closest to her heart, every month of the year, and that means a lot to many people.
The Vicky Morgan Foundation was established in 2001 after the death of a young woman who was a friend of Robin’s daughter.
Vicky Morgan, 19, and her sister, 24-year-old Christina Gray, were shot Feb. 7, 2001, while sitting in a truck in a convenience store parking lot in Patten by Christina’s estranged husband, Harold Gray, 68, who then turned the gun on himself.
Christina and Harold died at the scene. Vicky died several hours later at a Bangor hospital, “an innocent bystander and victim of a violent domestic crime,” as her foundation dedication states.
The Vicky Morgan Foundation operates year-round, adhering to its mission of “helping the people of Maine by assisting families and individuals faced with a sudden tragedy, ranging from fires to medical emergencies” and illnesses.
While many organizations raise a great deal of money and awareness nationally, the work of this small and dedicated group of people raises what it can locally and gives within its means to help those in need.
“We have a $200 cap, so we don’t give anybody more than that. We can’t afford to,” Robin said. “If there were a fire and people needed help, we’d give $50 per adult up to $200, or $25 per child.”
Asked how its beneficiaries are selected, Robin said she reads the newspaper regularly, watches television, takes special notice of jars and posters requesting donations and more often than not receives a verbal request from someone who knows about the foundation’s work.
Once Robin and the board have a request, they do their homework, and the foundation does what it can to help. The assistance may be as simple as a $30 gas card for someone making regular trips to a hospital.
That small donation can mean a lot, especially when you need it the most.
The bank balance of the foundation finances often cause Treasurer Arnold Oulton to become a bit nervous, Robin said.
“We’ve been as low as $300 in savings and had just $40 in checking, but I always tell him, don’t worry, God will provide for us.”
Not surprisingly, considering the difficult economic times, the foundation has seen an increase in requests for assistance.
“Most generally, from 2002 on, around the first part of June, we’d have given out about $400,“ Robin said.
“But this year, the first of June, we had given out more than $1,200.”
The most recent accounting, on Oct. 17, shows the organization has written checks amounting to $2,050.
“And December is not here yet,” Robin said of a season that, while joyful, often produces an increase in the number of house fires and other emergencies.
Robin said every single donation to the Vicky Morgan Foundation is important.
“We are just here to help others.
“And we’re just as happy with the $2 that some person gives us as the $50 we might receive, because there is somebody out there in need.
“We’re happy with what we get, and grateful for what we get.”
The recipients are grateful, too, Robin said, having received heartfelt thank-you notes “which are so nice.”
Funds for the Vicky Morgan Foundation are raised through a variety of events, and two are coming up.
The foundation’s benefit auction with auctioneer Jimmy Pratt is 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Sherman Gym in that community.
It features donations from business owners from Houlton to Millinocket and includes everything from restaurant gift certificates to stuffed animals and a case of oil.
The next event is the foundation’s fourth annual Veterans Show 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 7, at the Searsmont town office building on Route 131.
Admission is $10 or $8 with a veteran’s card.
It stars Dick Philbrook and the Frye Mountain Band and the patriotic songs of Yodelin’ Wade Dow.
Special guest appearances will be made by “Slim” Andrews, Danny Corbett, Cady Lila, Everard Dodge and Bob Elston, president of the Maine Academy of Country Music, who recently was recognized for his many years of support for the Vicky Morgan Foundation.
This fundraiser includes a dance, is chemical-free and will have refreshments, a 50-50 raffle, door prizes and donated items for sale.
The Vicky Morgan Foundation is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization. More information is available by calling Robin Dow at 342-3259 or e-mailing vickymorganfoundation@yahoo.com.
Donations may be made to the Vicky Morgan Foundation, P.O. Box 164, Searsmont 04973.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.com; 990-8288.