Ariel Alamo, Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) senior and officer of Interact Club, a high school arm of Rotary International, has designed “Lewiston Strong” bracelets for sale for $3 each. All proceeds go to families affected by the mass shootings. Bracelets can be purchased from Interact Club members, or by emailing Interact Club Advisor Bruce Harris at bruce@griffinandharris.com. Checks and cash donations can be mailed directly to Boothbay Region High School, 236 Townsend Avenue Boothbay Harbor, ME. Checks should be made out to BRHS (memo: Interact - Lewiston Strong).

“After the tragic events that happened in Lewiston, I knew I wanted to do something more to help the victims and families affected. Reposting things on social media and spreading awareness is a noble thing to do, but knowing our generous community, I knew we could take it even further,” she said.

“I began to brainstorm different ways I could get the student body involved in fundraising. I had thought back to our breast cancer awareness homecoming day, and how another student, Charlee Fuchswanz, had bought tons of pink rubber breast cancer awareness bracelets for students to wear. Soon enough, you saw students everywhere wearing these bracelets, and so my research began. I looked online and customized the bracelets to be blue for the colors of Lewiston High School, and for them to say "Lewiston Strong" with hearts. This was a way for us to not only spread awareness, but also raise money for the families in need,” said Alamo.

Interact Club brings people ages 12-18 together to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of “Service Above Self,” according to RotaryInternational.org. Interact Club provides a platform that empowers these young leaders to take action while having support from advisors like Sarah Clark, who made it possible to take credit cards for this initiative.

“Although Lewiston is about an hour away from us, it really is true when we say everyone knows everyone, and if you don't know someone, then you know someone who knows them. We are all one big family in this state, and when our family is in trouble, we do everything we can to help. Maine roots run deep, and I hope to send Lewiston all of our support and love from Boothbay Harbor in this time of mourning,” said Alamo.