34th Auction & Gala Raises Record-Breaking $600,000

You helped turn hope into action. Our hearts are still full after Sweetser’s 34th Annual Auction & Gala!

 

More than 550 people came together at Brick South to celebrate hope, share powerful stories, and take action for Maine children and families in need. Thanks to this extraordinary community, this year’s Auction & Gala was our most successful ever — raising around $600,000 for youth mental health. An evening like this simply doesn’t happen without an incredible number of people working together. The incredible show of support will help fuel Sweetser’s efforts to construct Maine’s first youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) on our Saco campus.

To our speakers, Jaymison Harper and Amy DesRoberts: thank you for having the courage to share your stories. Your honesty, strength, and passion reminded us why we gathered and will help light the way for others to find hope and healing. And to Sweetser’s President & CEO, Jayne Van Bramer, for reminding us all of the heart we bring to this mission.

To our amazing emcees and event personalities: thank you to Meghan Torjussen and Jon Chrisos of WMTW Channel 8, our evening co-hosts; Blake Hayes of Coast 93.1, who brought the energy to Fund the Need; and longtime Sweetser board member William Zafirson, who once again took the stage once again as our live auctioneer.

To our Auction Committee: Zach Blanchard, Ed Bull, Erin Collins, Joan Harrigan, Renee Jordan, Michelle LaChapelle, Amy McGarry, and William Zafirson — thank you for the brainstorming, guidance, and assistance in planning the event.

To Sweetser’s PR & Advancement Team: Justin Chenette, Jodie Hansen, Sara Towle, Liz Smith, Jessica Tornatore, and Markus Sawczyn — you make it look easy and are truly the best in the business; working an entire year behind the scenes to bring hundreds of people, partners, and details together for one unforgettable evening.

And to our incredible night of volunteers:
Andrew Amartei, Andy Coburn, Barry Daniels, Brooke Reissfelder, Camden Cole, Carey Jamilkowski, David Lewis, Denise Bouchard, Dee Hill, Ellie Gagne, Emily Grant, Emily Hanson, Harley Nimblett, Jeanna Coates, Jess Lavigne, Joline Dubuc, Joyce Reny, Kara Shamsi, Karen Dow, Kevin Thomas, Linda Viger, Lisa Bird, Lisa Thomas, Lori Lewis, Lori Morgan, Maria Maffucci, Matt Lilly, Nina Marsanskis, Sandra Couch-Kelly, Sarah Proctor, Shelly Hebert, Stacey Johnson, Tammy Flynn-Wakefield, Tricia Parisien, Tyler Jordan, Venise Monto and Vi Snyder — thank you for showing up, pitching in and helping make everything shine.
And finally, a huge thank-you to the corporate and community partners who invested in our mission and made this event possible.

Presenting Sponsor:

Maine Community Bank

Hope & Help Sponsors:

  • Holistic Health International
  • CGI Business Solutions
  • Clark Insurance
  • Central Maine Power
  • Paquin & Carroll Insurance
  • Unum
  • WMTW Channel 8
  • Maine’s Coast 93.1

Sold on Kids Sponsors:

  • ATX Advisory
  • Kennebunk Savings
  • Oxford Casino Hotel
  • Elks Lodge #1470 – Sanford
  • Vinegar Hill Music Theatre
  • R.M. Davis Private Wealth Management
  • The Viewpoint Hotel

Promising Futures Sponsors:

  • Corient
  • Little Snoring Cottage
  • Marc Motors
  • Casco Bay Insurance Agency
  • Lebel & Harriman
  • Northeast Delta Dental
  • Preble Lodge #143
  • Shoreline Construction
  • Tapley Insurance Agency
  • Tyler Technologies
  • Haven’s Candies

Champions for Children Sponsors:

  • Aroma Joe’s
  • Day’s Jewelers
  • Bangor Savings Bank
  • Trademark Federal Credit Union
  • Binnie Media
  • GEICO Local Office
  • GoodNylund Wealth Management
  • Inspired Nation
  • Mainebiz
  • McGarry Law Offices
  • Northern Light Mercy Hospital
  • One Stop Event Rentals
  • Portsmouth Quality Flooring
  • InterMed
And a special shout out to the incredible vendors who helped bring the evening to life — One Stop Event Rentals, AV Technik, Blue Elephant Catering, Aull That Entertainment, Pippy’s Poppin Balloons, and our amazing band Plush. From the setup and production to the food and décor, your partnership made a tremendous difference.
We’re also deeply grateful to every individual and business that donated an auction item or experience. With hundreds of items helping fuel the excitement and generosity of the evening, we truly could not have done it without you.
Whether you bought a ticket, raised a giving wand, bid on an auction item, volunteered your time, shared your story, sponsored the evening or simply cheered us on — you were part of something bigger. And because of you, we are one step closer to ensuring Maine youth who need a higher level of mental health treatment can receive that care here at home, closer to their families and communities.
Thank you for believing in Sweetser. Thank you for believing in Maine youth who need our help. And thank you for making this an evening of hope we will never forget.