FARMINGTON – In what some are describing as the most successful local benefits in recent memory, area residents turned out in droves to dance and raise funds for the community’s depleted fuel oil assistance fund, garnering in excess of $10,000 in ticket sales and contributions by Friday evening’s end. Organizers tallied the official paid attendance at 281 persons, several of whom were talking at night’s end about next year’s event.
“I can hardly believe we raised $10,000-plus in one evening – one really, really fun evening,” said Rev. Susan Crane, who administers the local Fuel Oil Assistance Fund. “God was certainly orchestrating this party!”
For the Hollywood dress-up theme, the University of Maine at Farmington’s North Dining Hall was transformed for the evening into a Sunset Boulevard nightclub, complete with balloons, runway lights, cutouts of James Dean and Marilyn Monroe, a red carpet entrance, and the continuous screening of Hollywood classics like Casablanca and It’s A Wonderful Life. Guests had the opportunity to purchase Oscar trophies for attendees, who were then called up on stage to give an “acceptance” speech and sing a song with the band.
Attendees danced until after 11 p.m. to the rhythms of Shepherd’s Pie, which concluded four sets of music with a rousing 90-minute marathon set of classic rock songs. Tom Saviello, disguised as Elmer Fudd, acted as master of ceremonies throughout the evening. Mount Blue Voices performed a up beat, half-hour a capella performance and Teacher’s Lounge Mafia entertained the crowd with comedy improv on a special “second stage.”
One of the musicians in Shepherd’s Pie, Tim Wallace, noted that “we’ve played in the North Dining Hall several times and I have never seen it nearly as crowded as it was Friday night.”
Among the noted costumed attendees were Charlie Chaplin, Lady Gaga, Barbara Eden (in I Dream of Genie garb), Marilyn Monroe, Jack Nicholson, Audrey Hepburn, John Lennon and Danny DiVito.
VIP table supporters included Farmington Rotary, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Kyes Insurance, Franklin Savings Bank, Franklin Area Ecumenical Ministry and Western Maine Community Action. The Sandy River Charitable Foundation provided a matching grant for funds raised.
Citgo oil co. donated heating oil (a Venezuelan owned co.) to heat American homes. Where the hell is ExxonMobil? A company with HUGE profits?
Woud love to see pictures of the “STARS”.
I am with Wiltonite! Excellent point! Now if SOMEONE can only make sure that those deserving and in need of the assistance get the help they need, i.e.. the elderly, unemployed and those who are ill and have no insurance! I mean after all, a room full of republicans may not be so giving if they knew the money would really be going towards the welfare gang!
where the heck are the local oil dealers????
Many, Many Thanks to the Sandy River Foundation for their very generous match and continued support of the Ecu-Heat assistance. The Berrys are a wonderful family and they’re great dancers too! Our community is extremly lucky to count them as one of our own.
guess what party the big oil companies are
The local oil dealers co-operate with the Franklin County Ecumenical Heating Fund by giving the best price they can. The local dealers are your friends and neighbors, they are not the huge corporations resting on record profits. Don’t blame the locals for this mess.
Congratulations to all involved for a wonderful fund raising event! To put $10,000 in perspective, ECU Heat paid out $9,000 in January of this year. People really are hurting.
Congratulations on a great fundraiser, for neighbor helping neighbor!
For those that want to talk to the big companies….go for it. I think you can find their address somewhere on the internet.
Good local cause, great fundraiser, lots of smiling faces Friday night! Thank you organizers and donors.
Hope only the people that really need it, get the help.
This was a WONDERFUL evening, with absolutely amazing results — so many people having such a great time and it was great to see all ages present !!!! The young folks who helped were impressive . The young couples who dressed up for the Hollywood atmosphere….it was just plain fun ! It shows again what a wonderful community we have !
The organizers deserve HUGE applause ! Thank you all; it must have been a lot of work.
We had so much fun!!! The music, the atmosphere, the costumes, so many smiles and much laughter. What a joy to “Give” as it should be. Thank you for all who were part of putting this on and to those who attended. I didn’t see anyone there who wasn’t having a great time! It helped to remind me that so much of the negative news we have received recently about our great town doesn’t reflect the majority of wonderful people we have living here and the hearts we have to give to our community instead of taking away from it. Love this town!!! No matter where in the country I have lived over the years- when I was pregnant with my children, I came home to Farmington Maine so they would be born here, it means that much to me! Great time, but can we do it every six months instead of waiting a full year!!!!!