CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Thanks to one of the largest fields of competitors in its 27-year history, the 2009 Sugarloaf Marathon and 15k has announced a contribution of $10,280 to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust, the largest donation in the event’s history. Sugarloaf donates the proceeds from the marathon to the Charitable Trust each year.
With a total of more than 500 runners between the marathon and 15k, Sugarloaf was able to cover the event’s operating expenses through registration fees, meaning 100 percent of contributions from sponsors went directly to the Trust. The marathon’s signature sponsor was TransCanada, the company behind the Kibby Wind Power Project north of Stratton and Eustis.
“We’re so grateful for the generous contributions from TransCanada and all of our sponsors, and of course to all of the many volunteers who worked so hard to make this event successful,” said Joni Blanchard, Sugarloaf special programs coordinator. “It’s wonderful to be able to make a donation like this, particularly at a time when so many non-profit organizations are struggling to make ends meet.”
The Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust is a private, nonprofit trust, dedicated to improving the quality of life for the communities that make up the Sugarloaf area. The trust provides financial assistance to organizations with nonprofit, tax-exempt status. The goal of this assistance is to encourage the growth in existing human service and cultural organizations and to develop new organizations that will involve and improve the Sugarloaf area.
The Trust was established in early 1984, when the employees of Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation began contributing on a volunteer basis to the Trust through a payroll deduction program. These contributions were, and continue to be, matched by Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation. Tax-deductible contributions to the Sugarloaf Region Charitable Trust are presently being accepted from the entire Sugarloaf community.
In May, thanks to the donations of Sugarloaf employees throughout the season, the Trust was able to distribute $13,500 to community organizations, including:
United Way of the Tri-Valley Area
Girls Scouts of Kingfield “Bridging the Gap” Program
Mount Abram High School
Stratton/Eustis Food Pantry
Western Maine Center for Children
Carrabassett Valley Library
Stratton Elementary School
Kingfield Pops
Martha B Webber Breast Care Center
For more information on Sugarloaf and the Sugarloaf Marathon and 15k, please visit www.sugarloaf.com.
