LEWISTON – Poland Spring Water Company had a visible presence at The Dempsey Challenge earlier this month. Not only did the iconic Maine company supply all the water for event participants and, along with LL Bean, co-sponsor the recycling program, but 27 Poland Spring employees, family members and friends walked, ran or cycled to raise $7,282 for The Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing.
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In all, 4,175 participants raised $1.1 million for The Dempsey Challenge 2010.
Team members traveled to Lewiston from all over the state to be part of the weekend-long event, and wore specially designed Poland Spring “What it means to be from Maine” shirts. Many of those who participated in Saturday’s walk/run were on hand the next day in front of the Poland Spring bottling plant on Route 122 to cheer on their fellow team members and the hundreds of cyclists riding by in the 50 and 100-mile rides.
“The Dempsey Challenge was an extraordinary experience for me,” said Heather McBean, Poland Spring’s Education and Outreach Manager, and a Norway resident. “I have family members who have battled cancer and benefited from the services the Dempsey Center offers. It was inspiring to take part in Saturday’s walk and see everyone come together for this worthwhile cause.” McBean’s brother-in-law is a volunteer at the Dempsey Center while he is undergoing treatment for leukemia.
“I’m proud of all the Poland Spring team members who fundraised and took part in the Dempsey Challenge. This was such a bonding experience for all of us,” said Andrew Freye, Poland Spring’s Employee Team Captain. “I’ve already been approached by co-workers who want to be part of the team next year.”
The Poland Spring Team ranked in the top 10 percent in amount of money raised out of 371 registered teams. Employees have vowed to raise $10,000 and double the team membership in 2011.
