LEWISTON — The Lewiston Fire Relief Fund can expect a $50,000 boost from the contingency fund of Gov. Paul LePage.

In a news release Monday, LePage announced the donation while lauding the efforts of other Mainers to help the victims.

“In times of need like this, we see Mainers pull together to make a difference and it truly is heartwarming. While we can’t give the victims back what they had, we can help rebuild their lives as they move forward,” LePage said in the release.

The Lewiston Fire Relief Fund is administered by the United Way of Androscoggin County. Including this donation, the fund has raised $176,108 for the victims of the fires, according to the release.

Among the 284 donations to the fund are a $50,000 challenge donation by L.L. Bean, a $10,000 donation from Central Maine Power’s Iberdrola USA Feundation, $5,000 each from the Oxford Casino, TD Bank and Brann & Isaacson Attorneys and a $2,500 donation from Central Distributors.

“The outpouring of support has been great from both individual donors and businesses from all over the Androscoggin County area and beyond,” Joleen Bedard, United Way executive director, said in the release. “I can’t tell you how many calls and visits we’ve had from folks wanting to make sure their gifts are received in time to help us make the match.”

For more information on the Lewiston Fire Relief Fund, call Joleen Bedard, executive director of United Way of Androscoggin County at 795-4000.

Donations to the Lewiston Fire Relief Fund may be made online at www.volunteermaine.org, by mail and in person to United Way of Androscoggin County, 66 Ash St., PO Box 888 Lewiston, ME 04243-0888.

Monday’s developments:

More coverage of the Lewiston fires:


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