Page 24 - Fall 2024 Newsletter

The North Star Magazine - “TID BITS” ...

… A tad of this and a tad of that means small news of interest to all!

More Tid Bits on Page 63

GIVING TUESDAY WAS CERTAINLY A DAY OF GIVING [Emotional Music Builds]
Announcer: “Join us for Giving Tuesday, December
On Giving Tuesday, December 3rd, the Houlton 3rd. Let’s show our students they are not alone. Visit
High School Alumni Association’s “Fund Raising HoultonAlumni.com today to donate and make a
Committee” unveiled its latest fund-raising program. lasting impact. Together, we can make a difference!”
While scholarships are a very important part of the [Music Fades Out]
Association’s work, the Association was told, by some
of its Board Members, about important physical CLASS OF 1968 ALUM APPRECIATES ASSOCIATION’S
concerns within the school community that needs to WORK
be addressed immediately, or all the funds received
for scholarships and other school needs are of little Part of an email from August 29, 2024, sent to Jerry
benefit – a societal need that is becoming concerning York from Brian Ruth’68…
in all small rural areas. The need is to help alleviate “…thank you for all the time and effort you and the
some students’ basic hardships- food, clothing, and other members of The Board put into making the
necessities, so that they can concentrate on their HHSAA such a huge success. That $3.5 million-plus
education. The committee was determined to create endowment is truly an amazing accomplishment
an emergency Student Support Fund, to help offset for a town of Houlton’s size! And it’s only getting
some of these needs within the school, administered started. That level of growth speaks volumes about
by the school officials as deemed necessary. the positive impact the town has had on those who

The Committee’s goal was to raise $10,000 by applying were raised and educated there. I can assure you that
for a $5000 grant from the Aaron and Maria Putnam I am extremely proud to be a Houlton native, an HHS
Charitable Trust to match funds received during Giving grad, and a member of such a fine and meaningful
Tuesday from our alums and friends. Through ads organization.”
such as the one shown below and a series of targeted EDITOR’S NOTE: Thank you so much for your kind
emails, the program was a success on all fronts. The words of support, Brian. Greatly appreciated by all the
grant was approved by the Trust and the Association Association’s
raised the challenge amount of $5000! Successful board and
because of you!
committee
30 second radio ad for HHSAA Giving Tuesday (Dec 3) members.
[Soft, Emotional Background Music] Words like these
Announcer: “This November, let’s come together as a are rocket fuel
community. At Houlton High School, we believe that for us to push
every student deserves the tools to succeed—clothing, to do more
food, and necessities. But many of our students face and improved
challenges that make this difficult.” programming.
[Pause for Effect] As you said, we
Announcer: “That’s why we’re launching our Student are “only getting
Support Fund. Thanks to a generous donor, every started.”
dollar you give will be matched, up to $5,000! Your ASSOCIATION
contributions will help provide essential items to EARNS THANKS
students in need, ensuring they can focus on their FROM THE
education, not their hardships.” CLASS OF 2024

24 www.houltonalumni.com