Once again, business owners and individuals in the communities of Old Town, Orono, Bradley, Milford, Veazie and Bangor showed their support by helping to raise over $6,000 in the second annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run fundraising event that was held recently.
To date, The Courageous Steps Project fundraising efforts have raised more than $10,000 in just over two years. In that time, The Courageous Steps Project has donated $7,000 to local programs including RSU 34 (Old Town), RSU 26 (Orono) and The Green House Nursery School (Milford) to help children with autism and other challenges take their own courageous steps. It has partners with the Old Town Recreation Center, and now is also partnering with the Old Tow- Orono YMCA as a way to make this a community effort.
This spring, event organizer Connor Archer was proud to give the first scholarships from The Courageous Steps Scholarship fund. Three scholarships for $300 each were given to very deserving seniors graduating from Old Town High School. Additional funds supported the Courageous Steps technology initiative at The Green House Nursery School, as well as school supply drives and gardens. The project donated six boxes of school supplies to local schools at the start of the 2014 school year.
With generous donations from local greenhouses, Archer is continuing to expand the sensory learning gardens to help children explore and learn at the GreenHouse Nursery School. Next Endeavor: he is in the process of working with members of the Green House Nursery School staff to start a technology initiative, to include personal learning devices, such as iPads, as I know, firsthand, the importance of technology in helping children with special needs to learn.
“The Courageous Steps Project has been so successful because of the help and support of my own community and many surrounding communities,” said Archer. “It is their support that inspires me and motivates me to continue to work hard to make a difference so that individuals with autism and other challenges can have the opportunities and support that I have had as an individual living with autism.
Courageous Steps recently held a Governor’s Restaurant Fundraiser in which 10 percent of sales were donated to The Courageous Steps Project Scholarship fund. The second annual back-to-school drive will also be held at the end of July-beginning of August. Donations to support The Courageous Steps Project also will be graciously accepted throughout the year. Checks can be made payable to: Old Town High School (memo: Courageous Steps) and mailed to: Old Town High School, 203 Stillwater Ave. Old Town, ME 04468
To learn more about The Courageous Steps Project and see a list of the many businesses who have generously donated to the project, please visit www.thecourageousstepsproject.org and on check out details on FaceBook.