CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Participants in the recent fifth Annual Sugarloaf/USA Charity Challenge raised a record amount of money to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine.

Through fund raising, challenge races and live and silent auctions, participants pledged more than $68,000 on Jan. 31.

“The commitment Sugarloafers make to this event never ceases to amaze me,” said Charity Challenge organizer Martha Bradley. “Each year we set our goal higher than the previous year, and each year this community goes well over the top.” In it’s five-year history, this event has raised more than $200,000.

The Charity Challenge culminates with races on the slopes of Sugarloaf where racers had the opportunity to compete against celebrities such as former Gov. Angus King or Baseball Hall of Famer Jim Lonborg. Racers could improve their time by raising money in the weeks leading up to the event. Time was deducted from their official race time for each $50 raised.

This year’s top fund-raiser was Cheryl Levasseur with more than $4,000.

Following the day on the slopes, silent and live auction-goers bid on a host of items including a handcrafted Thomas Moser rocking chair, airline tickets, a signed Norman Rockwell print, an autographed Bode Miller poster and numerous gift certificates.

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