Raise the Roof 2009: Bluegrass & Barbecue

Thank you for helping us to celebrate our 24th year of building!

Sunday, September 13, 1009

Event Location Thompson’s Orchard 276 Gloucester Hill Road New Gloucester Musical Guests Jerks of Grass for the 5th consecutive year Magic Show by Dennis Labbe Magical Wonders Barbecue provided by Buck's Naked BBQ Alex & Wendy Caisse, Owners

Picture a comfortable fall day in September, sitting atop a hill nestled in an orchard with gorgeous

scenic views.  Add a lively bluegrass band, a delicious barbecue, and then make your own ice cream sundaes.  Throw in a magician with an exciting magic show, and games for kids and adults, and you have the perfect afternoon event for your family, your business, church group or team. 

 

In addition to the festivities, we awarded the 2009 Charlie & Leisa Crane Spirit of Humanity Award to Claudia Kinnear, Falmouth resident and an active member of the Foreside Community Church (UCC) for her outstanding contributions to the mission of Habitat for Humanity.

                                   

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2009 Charlie & Leisa Crane Spirit of Humanity Award Recipient

Claudia Kinnear

For the past ten years Claudia Kinnear has raised several thousands of dollars from her supporters for the Falmouth Walk for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, as well as giving financial support to several other walkers. Yet she doesn't participate in the walk. The reason – each year Claudia returns to visit her family in Austria and Germany (where she was born) in early March, the same time as the walks are being held. She has participated in the walks in the past, but this year she will be out of the country again.  It is not that Claudia is not a walker. She walks the Falmouth walk route almost every day from her home in Falmouth, and still hikes the mountains of her native Germany and Austria when she visits there. 

When asked how long she hopes to continue supporting the Falmouth walks, she says:" as long as I can". Obviously she is very committed to the mission of Habitat for Humanity to build homes and community and she also draws strength from the wonderful encouragement of all those who support her dedicated efforts.

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What is Raise the Roof?

Annual "Friendraiser"

Established in 2003, Raise the Roof is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland’s annual fall fundraising event, welcoming new and existing supporters to join us as we celebrate another year of building. 

 

Titled “Bluegrass & Barbecue: A Habitat Friend-raiser”, for the past four years this event has welcomed the talents of Maine’s bluegrass band the “Jerks of Grass” and offered our guests a traditional barbecue feast.  This is a family friendly event with wide open spaces for tossing a football or a Frisbee.  Seating is provided, but many families choose to bring a blanket and spread out on the grass.   

This celebration also gives us an opportunity to recognize one individual or organization for their outstanding commitment and leadership in furthering the mission   of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland with the Charlie & Leisa Crane Spirit of Humanity Award. Charlie & Leisa Crane have made significant contributions to this organization with their leadership and    financial support.  The award was named in their honor and they were the    first recipients in 2003. Additional award recipients include Elmina B. Sewall (2004), James Robbins (2005), Sally

Bancroft (2006), Kevin Hancock (2007), and Karen Baldacci (2008).