Advisory Group Member Bernie Reim kindly carried in our table, chair and books. He had to leave soon for Waterville.

Picture about thirty non-profits in a long hallway….think high school corridor. We each had about ten feet, having an organization on either side plus one right across from us.

Momentarily I panicked over how I could get the tables, chair and excess books back to the car when I saw that the organization directly across from us, Kennebunk Recreation, was headed by a rather strong looking, affable person. In no time he assured me that he would help.

Relieved, I piled up the books, brochures, put up the signs and asked Bernie to take a picture.

Soon the public came. ABOUT ONE IN TEN SAID THEY’D WISHED WE’D BEEN AROUND WHEN THEY WERE GROWING UP. Others said they had a friend or a family member to give a copy of my book to. (…I was handing out copies of my first publication…) I also gave out our brand new brochure which Advisory Group Member John Bates recently had designed.

Then one gentleman signed in and said he was recently retired from teaching middle school and was looking for a place to volunteer! Well, there were thirty places for him to choose from, but about a week later, he responded to my email and said he would like to help.

During slow moments, I got to learn more about Kennebunk Rec.  I asked the director if there were socially isolated youth where he works and he said many! Following up with him the next week, we agreed to see about implementing our Who We Are: my own creativity program during the summer. 

Another ten or so visitors signed up and we look forward to getting to know them better.

An editor from a local magazine, The Village, stopped at our booth and said she wants to do an article about us. Recently she confirmed June would be a good month.

Thank you Chamber of Commerce for giving us such a great opportunity to meet the public!

Helen
Program Manager
CSIR