An outpouring of financial support from community leaders has allowed the Community Center to complete the purchase of its transport van within one week of announcing the project.

After learning about the effort in a recent Boothbay Register article, philanthropist and local businessman Paul Coulombe contacted the Center expressing that he and his wife, Giselaine wanted to contribute the remaining funds needed to purchase the vehicle.

Members of the Congregational Church, the Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor and Captain Bruce White read about the Center’s request and provided contributions as well.

The recent donations increased the fund which was started with contributions by Patricia and Trudy Seybold, Sean Lewin and George Whitten. Other contributors were: Mike Tomko, Martha Cowdery, Carol Cragin and Lizzy Villaume. Some contributors wished to remain anonymous.

In total, the effort has raised more than the purchase price of the vehicle.

According to Jane Good, director of the Community Center, “Everyone has been so generous and we will put all contributions to good use. We have had an Enrichment Program in our plans for some time with the goal of expanding our activities beyond the walls of the Community Center and out into the world.”

Good explained that the Center wants to offer day trips to educational and recreational places all over the state. “The acquisition of the van will enable us to get on the way with this program. Of course, we will use the van also to provide local transportation to and from the center for those who would not otherwise be able to attend our activities. This is especially important for evening programs as there are quite a few who cannot drive after dark.”

Good said she envisions outings that will take community members to the beach and to baseball games. “We want to bring people to the beach so those who haven’t put their feet in the ocean for years now will be able to.”

Hawke Motors, which is selling the van, is contributing free service including basic oil changes and discounts on parts and tires for the Center’s vehicle.

The idea for a van came about from a conversation among the Center’s board members as they thought about possible future services for the Alzheimer’s group and People Helping People. Many of the Center’s volunteers had been responding to requests for transportation by providing their own transportation for area residents.

In addition, board members were well aware that those suffering from certain types of disease might benefit from travel beyond their usual environments. The board members believed that acquiring a van would create the opportunity for a community enrichment program, but did not expect to see the quick response to their request for contributions.

The Center expects to be operating the van by mid-April and will announce upcoming special events and trips as they are scheduled.

For more information about the van project or to make a contribution to the fund to operate the vehicle, contact the Community Center at 633-9876 or by writing to COMMUNITY CENTER@fairpoint.net