SCARBOROUGH, Maine – LifeFlight of Maine was one of four beneficiaries of the 3rd annual Art of Giving Gala presented by Down East, the Magazine of Maine. This year’s gala was held at The Landing at Pine Point in Scarborough and featured four works of art donated by Maine-based artists. The art, valued at more than $10,000, is then raffled off during the event. In the spirit of giving, 100% of the net proceeds from raffle ticket sales are evenly split among the beneficiaries.
“We’ve had fantastic response year after year to our Art of Giving program. To date, together with our readers, we have raised nearly $70,000 for charities in Maine that support local communities,” notedDown East editor-in-chief Kathleen Fleury. “We’re proud to highlight four incredible artists again this year and the Maine-based organizations they’d like to support.”
LifeFlight was chosen as a beneficiary by Waterville-based painter Matthew Russ, who donated one of his signature landscapes to the cause.
“My introduction to LifeFlight came in dramatic fashion,” explains Matthew. “In 2011 my wife KC was in a small plane that crashed into the ocean while flying from Matinicus island to Owls Head. Both LifeFlight helicopters were deployed to meet the accident victims on the mainland. KC was transported to Lewiston where she underwent lifesaving surgery at Central Maine Medical Center. KC is doing great now, and we are both forever grateful to this incredible nonprofit organization serving all of Maine.”
The Art of Giving is Down East’s annual celebration of Maine art, artists, and the community organizations they hold dear. This year’s event was generously sponsored by Northbridge Companies, the Maine Community Foundation, Globe Pequot/Down East Books, Cellardoor Winery, Camden National Bank, and the Penobscot YMCA.
In addition to LifeFlight, supported charities this year included Harbor House Community Service Center on behalf of artist R. Scott Baltz, Maine Farmland Trust on behalf of artist Thérése L. Provenzano and Community Partners on behalf of artist Roland Salazar Rose.
Gala attendees were able to connect personally with the artists and charities, and enjoyed a full evening of live music, delicious local foods, distinct beverages, and a unique performance by Circus Maine.
About Down East Enterprise:
Down East Enterprise, Inc., is a multimedia company based in Camden, Maine. The company’s flagship publication, Down East: The Magazine of Maine, is the largest paid-circulation magazine dedicated to the Pine Tree State. For more than six decades, Down East has been the authority on Maine, and today continues to capture the reader’s attention with an insider look at contemporary life in Maine. To learn more, visit www.downeast.com.
About LifeFlight of Maine:
LifeFlight of Maine is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit air medical and critical care transport organization. LifeFlight brings lifesaving critical care staff and equipment directly to the patient by helicopter, airplane and ground ambulance. It also provides advanced emergency medical training to Maine’s hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS) and public safety agencies. Overseen by 25 physicians, LifeFlight cared for nearly 1,800 critically ill and injured patients last year. Since its inception in 1998, LifeFlight has transported more than 20,000 patients from every hospital and nearly all of Maine’s communities and islands. If you would like to learn more about LifeFlight, please browse our website or call 207-230-7092.