JAY – People are rallying around Donald Simoneau of Fayette, holding a supper Dec. 1 to raise money for his mounting medical bills.

Since February, Simoneau has had multiple surgeries and hospitalizations in Maine Medical Center in Portland and Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston. Following the last major surgery in August, Simoneau said he has had very serious life-threatening sepsis blood infections that have pushed his immune system to the breaking point.

“My medical bills and related costs have pushed our family budget to the max,” he said.

Simoneau said he has never asked for any help from the community, but people pushed ahead to help him and his wife of 39 years, Roberta, by planning a benefit supper.

Simoneau has been a member of the American Legion Post 10 of Livermore Falls for many years. He has also served as commander of the post, and most recently, as adjutant. He also served at the state level of the American Legion.

“Simoneau has always helped others, and now it’s time to help him,” said benefit organizer, Ann Hammond.

Among Simoneau’s contributions to the community is his perseverance to document every veteran’s burial place in the area. He has also done much research to recreate a list of names of World War II veterans in Livermore Falls and Livermore which were initially listed on a wooden monument in Livermore Falls. When a new monument was installed, the names were not included. That project will culminate with a rededication at 7:55 a.m.  Friday, Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, at the Geneva Hodgkins Memorial Park, formally Union Park, in Livermore Falls.

The American Legion, along with Simoneau’s friends and family, are hosting a benefit spaghetti supper from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Knights of Columbus Hall on Route 4 in Jay. The cost will be $8 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 years of age, and free for children 5 and under. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.

Organizers have received many items from numerous businesses. Among them are cords of wood, an Adirondack chair and ottoman, oil changes, a front-end alignment, a handcrafted jewelry box, a coat rack and shelf, a mini rigger kit, a handcrafted table runner, aprons, place mats, a large cutting board and gift certificates.

Donations will be accepted by American Legion Post 10, 17 Reynolds Ave., Livermore Falls, ME 04254. Please make all checks payable to Donald Simoneau.

For more information, please contact Ann Hammond, 897-2503, Mike Simoneau, 897-5249, Kelli Given, 931-6392 or Jocelyn Mosher-Collins, 897-4739.

NOTE: The story has been changed since its original publication to reflect the correct telephone number of Kelli Given. The number was incorrectly submitted to the Sun Journal.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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