Fourteen organizations and individuals to be honored

Guilford–Piscataquis County winners of the 2019 Spirit of America Foundation Tribute for outstanding community service will be honored at a ceremony on Friday, November 15, 2019 starting at 7:00 PM in the Valley Grange Hall 172 Guilford Center Road, Guilford.

The Spirit of America Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity established in Augusta, ME to encourage volunteerism.  Since the first Spirit of America Foundation award was presented to Alma Jones by Augusta’s Mayor in 1991, over 500 Spirit of America ceremonies have taken place. 

Those to be honored at the county wide ceremony include: Walter Boomsma–Abbot, John Brainard–Atkinson, Rodney Preble–Bowerbank, Brownville Public Library–Brownville, Friends of Central Hall and Maine Highlands Senior Center–Dover-Foxcroft, Prudy and David Richards–Greenville, Hardwood Products Company –Guilford, Damien Pickel– Milo, Barbara Wilbur–Parkman, Alvina Church –Sangerville, Sebec Community Christian—Sebec, Colleen Ashe—Shirley, and Walter Hish—Wellington.

The event is open to the public. “We hope friends and family of these recipients will come and help us salute these models of the volunteer spirit of America,” Sheriff Bob Young suggested. “This will be a fun, uplifting evening with no long speeches,” he promised.”

Valley Grange Program Director Walter Boomsma is excited the Grange has been given the honor of hosting the awards. “All Granges are about community and Valley Grange is certainly not an exception. We enjoy making our hall available to organizations dedicated to building strong individuals and communities. It is a special treat to host individuals and organizations doing just that!” The Grange will be serving refreshments immediately following the program.