RUMFORD – An artist is helping to raise money for Maine military personnel and their families this Christmas.

A little more than $500 was raised last month through the raffle of an acrylic painting of Portland Head Light created by Beth Soubble. Flora Pelletier of Rumford won the drawing, which was held at the annual local Veterans Day ceremonies.

Now, Soubble, who comes from a family of many service veterans and whose husband is a Vietnam veteran, wants area people to know that they can donate money to buy phone cards for military.

Some of the money raised from the painting raffle went to the family of a veteran of the 133rd Engineer Battalion from Rumford. His home was destroyed by fire soon after he returned from Iraq.

A portion of the money went to a family whose son had just come home on leave. The rest of the $500 went to the Maine National Guard Family Program in Augusta to buy phone cards.

“It’s a wonderful thing. What better thing for a family than to hear the voices of their loved ones over there?” she said. “They can call home for Christmas.”

Donations can also be made for service families in need, by designating the Families in Crisis program.

All funds raised go to families or military personnel from Maine.

To make donations to benefit soldiers serving overseas and their families, checks can be made out to MENG Family Program and mailed to: the Department of Veterans Emergency Management, Attn: Family Program Office, State House Station 33, Augusta, ME 04333.