In March of this year, Team Dyer Neck Gang embarked on reaching a goal of raising $10,000 for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer, Hope & Healing located in Lewiston. The team consisted of nine people; Sarah Blackman, Garry Blackman Jr., Kristy Anderson, Molly Barter, Christine Blake, Kate Reed, Dianne Lake, Amber Dalton and Jacob Farmer all participated in the Dempsey Challenge 5k and 10k events the weekend of October 12 and 13.

After months of holding several fundraising events, the team’s total came in just under $7,800. They are very thankful for the outpouring of support received and are looking forward to reaching the $10,000 mark next year.

The team was hand selected from over a hundred teams to meet Patrick Dempsey on Sunday, Oct. 13, and used the opportunity to surprise Polly Dalton, a cancer survivor and user of the Dempsey Center, to grant her wish to meet Dempsey.

The team would like the town of Boothbay for supporting their efforts, along with all of the businesses and individuals who have helped with events over the year, without them, none of this would have been possible. Fundraising events included:

Harbor Fest 5k took place on September 29, a 5k loop that started from Boothbay Craft Brewery on Adam’s Pond Road, followed up Route 27, and back down Adam’s Pond Road to the finish at Boothbay Craft Brewery. The team wants to thank Marketing Cents 4U, Boothbay Craft Brewery, Touch the Wild, Lincoln County Sherriff’s Office, Boothbay Fire Department, Mariners Compass Quilt Shop, B.A.R., Salon Capella, Karen’s Hideaway, Hannaford, and all the many volunteers who helped.

The Music Showdown took place on August 4 at the Boothbay Common. The daylong event was filled with four bands (who all donated their time), silent auctions, live auctions, and several different raffles.

The team wants to thank the bands, Murkey Water, Cold Blue Steel, Sweatin’ Bullets, and Dyer Neck Gang along with Bob Marley, Boothbay Craft Brewery, Boston Red Sox, Bracket’s Market, Bugaboo Creek, Country Kitchen, Duck Puddle Campground, Glen Cove Inn, Good N’ You, Jeanette Reed, Karen’s Hideaway, Knights of Pythias, Mainaic Lobster, Mainely Bakes, Mill Cove, Naked Leather, Oxford Casino, Richmond PM Cars, Reggie & Kelley House, Rusty Court, Salon Capella, Sarah’s Scoops, Sea-Vu Farm, T&D Variety, Taylor Rental, Three Rivers, Touch the Wild, William & Heather Lewis and Yellowfront.

A raffle “All About Him” took place on June 9. Donated prizes were from Bob Marley, Portland Sea Dogs, Binga’s Stadium, Wiscasset Speedway, and Hammond Lumber.

A raffle “All About Her” took place on May 5. Donated prizes were from Silver Lining, About Face, Peapod Jewelry, Boothbay Region Greenhouse, and What’s Up Boutique.

In April, a Thirty One party was held, and the representative, Alyson Thompson, donated all the commission earned back to the team.

A virtual run happened on April 14. Participants purchased a bib online and ran any route and distance they wanted. Finishers posted photos online and the prizes went to the best decorated bib as well as a random participant drawing.

In March a Chili Cook Off took place at the Boothbay Fire Department. Over a dozen entries put their chili to the test, and the public came, ate, socialized, entered into a 50/50 raffle and judged the chili; cash prizes went to first and second place.

Team members are already rolling up their sleeves and looking forward to another year of fundraising for such an amazing cause. Anyone interested in joining the 2014 team can contact Sarah Blackman at 207-380-4093 or Garry Blackman Jr. at 207-462-6663.