Page 8 - Spring 2026

Alumni Care. Students Succeed.

When It Matters Most: Alumni Step Up for Houlton Students

By Jon A. McLaughlin ’73,
Executive Director

The Houlton High School Alumni
Association is pleased to share
the success of its recent Alumni
Cares Fund campaign, a focused
two-week effort that brought
alumni and community members
together to support local students
and families facing unexpected
hardships.

Thanks to that collective
generosity, the campaign raised
over $5,000, successfully meeting
the community portion of a
special fundraising challenge and
unlocking additional support
committed by the Association.
Why the Alumni Cares
Fund Matters A Campaign Built on Partnership

The Alumni Cares Fund was established to provide This year’s campaign was made possible through a
emergency financial assistance to students and significant leadership commitment.
families within the Houlton Middle-High School The Alumni Association received a generous $20,000
community when unexpected challenges arise.
gift from a foundation in southern Maine to
strengthen the emergency assistance work it began
“When unexpected challenges several years ago. As part of that gift, the foundation
arise, a community’s willingness issued a challenge to raise an additional $10,000.

to step forward can make all In response, the Alumni Association Board voted to
the difference in a student’s commit $5,000 toward that goal, provided alumni and
community members raised the remaining $5,000.
ability to stay supported and This created a dollar-for-dollar match opportunity,
succeed.” encouraging broad participation and momentum
throughout the campaign.

These situations can occur quickly — a medical issue, A special focus was placed on Alumni Cares Tuesday,
or the inability to meet basic needs such as heat, March 31, which served as the culminating day of the
clothing, or transportation. In these moments, even a campaign.
modest amount of assistance can make a meaningful
difference in a student’s ability to remain engaged and
supported in school.
The fund reflects a simple but powerful idea: when
a community comes together, students are better
able to succeed.

8 www.houltonalumni.com