sponsored by
06/14/2008
enlarge
Staff photo by Joe Phelanfrom the Kennebec Journal
Rep. Pingree hears varied proposals for health-care solutions
HALLOWELL Fire that cut communications labeled arson
MONMOUTH Police defended after slim budget rejection
State's schools chief to parley
Wasser will lead newsrooms at KJ, Sentinel and in Portland
BRIEFS
Hockey still in picture for Harrington
Portland boxer to face legend's son
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
$1.3 MILLION FOR HEALTHREACH
Families Matter grows to meet special needs
Chellie Pingree listens to ideas on health care reform
FARMINGTON Rain alters plans for 4th of July
District regroups after budget failure
Vote on county budget hits snag
Burnham driver wins checkered flag at 2 tracks on same day
Maine boxer gets unique opportunity
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
He hopes to collect lots more during a special charity cruise on Thursday to benefit the Kennebec Valley Humane Society.
"Cruizing for Animals" will be held at 5 p.m. at Ainslie's Market off U.S. Route 201 in Gardiner.
Walter and his wife, Rochelle Dupont, belong to a group of classic car lovers who meet at Ainslie's every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. between May 1 and the end of September.
"Petco in Augusta and The Kennel Shop donated the pet food and I got some toys," said Dupont, a retired machinist. "Of course, I've been announcing it the last couple of cruise nights."
Show car owners are asked to donate money or bring bagged or canned pet food, toys, bedding or accessories, including leashes and collars, to the event.
Rochelle Dupont said the group plans a charitable event each year.
"We usually do something extra special in the summer," said Rochelle Dupont, a turnpike toll collector. "A lot of people do Toys for Tots, but nobody thinks of these homeless animals. So I said, 'I'm going to do something for these animals because I'm an animal lover.' "
Cruise nights, which include a deejay spinning tunes from the 1950s and '60s, draws some 200 street rods, muscle cars, antiques and hot rods each week.
Dupont, who owns a pink 1971 Super Beetle Volkswagen, said her nine-year-old black Lab, Willie, will accompany them on Thursday's cruise.
Her husband owns a green-and-black 1931 Model-A Ford coupe.
She said the take-out market and gas station with a big parking lot will have plenty of food -- pizza and sandwiches -- and hot dogs and coffee will be sold outdoors.
The Duponts also sell 50-50 tickets each week.
Half of the money goes to the winner, and the other half is set aside until the end of the season then donated to charity.
Robert Haley, executive director of the humane society, said there is a strong need for donations and that he appreciates the community's support during these poor economic times.
"Certainly with the economy, every dollar is in competition with other needs in families," Haley said. "It's a struggle for us like any other nonprofit.
"We're humbled and thrilled that caring members of the community are coming up with creative ways to raise money for us. This is one in a series of events that members of the community have organized."
Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408
mcooper@centralmaine.com
Reader comments
Click here to view or add reader comments