RUMFORD – Beth Soubble has a history of using her talents to help others.

Over the years, she has created several paintings that were raffled, with the proceeds going to help worthy causes.

A raffle of her latest work, a 16-by-20-inch oil painting of Portland Head Light, will benefit the men and women serving in the Maine National Guard 133rd Engineering Battalion. The scene is titled “First Light on the First Light.” The painting was framed by Tom Trice and donated by Lem Cissel, owner of the Great Falls Frame Shop in Rumford.

“I feel badly for the guys and their families. They went off in the Reserves and left their families by themselves,” she said.

Soubble comes from a military family. Her husband, Mike, served in the Vietnam War, and her father and father-in-law were World War II veterans.

Money raised will go to buy items not usually supplied by the government to soldiers in the service, or to help service people with expenses when coming home on leave. Several local men and women are either serving in Iraq right now, or have come home after a tour of duty there.

Soubble, an artist for about 20 years, has painted many artworks, primarily with coastal themes. Raffles of her work have helped accident victims, people with medical expenses and a child who required reconstructive surgery.

The painting will be on display at Stanley’s Furniture on Congress Street during the first few days of October. It will then be moved around town to various sites for viewing. Raffle tickets may be purchased at several downtown businesses, or by phoning Soubble at 364-7714. She’s also looking for people to help sell the raffle tickets.

“The more who get involved, the better,” she said.

The drawing will take place at the Veterans Day ceremony at Mountain Valley High School on Nov. 11.