Raise the Roof: 2010: Bluegrass & BBQ

Thank you for celebrating with us!

On Sunday,September 19th Thompson’s Orchard in New Gloucester was a flurry activity not only because apple season had arrived but also because Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland was “Raising the Roof”.  This year’s annual Raise the Roof: Bluegrass and BBQ “friend-raiser” was a great success thanks to the generous support of our event sponsors and the attendance of so many of HfHGP’s friends and family. 

Totaling over 200 people, guests ranged from HfHGP’s founding members to those who were experiencing Habitat for Humanity for the first time that day.   The music of the Jerks of Grass filled the large, white tents and the fields overlooking scenic New Gloucester.  Kites were flying, faces were being painted, and Giant Jenga was toppling over.  The games, music and youth activities only stopped long enough for everyone to enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch (complete with all the fixin’s!) and a brief award presentation.  This year’s Charlie and Leisa Crane Spirit of Humanity Award was presented to Carl Zeis, a long time friend and supporter of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland.  A special plaque was also presented to HfHGP’s founding members, in recognition of their efforts to begin the Greater Portland affiliate 25 years ago.

 

Raise the Roof is one of the largest annual events hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland.  This event gives HfHGP the opportunity to celebrate Habitat’s mission with its nearest and dearest friends and invite new friends to assist in the effort to bring Maine families home.  

If you had your picture taken that day by our professional photographer and you would like to order prints, please visit www.mystoredimages.com.

 

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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), Karen Baldacci (2008) and Claudia Kinnear (2009).

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