Ben Campbell benefit dinner draws crowd
By Benjamin Barr, Jr. Lincoln News • May 16, 2019
T 3 INDIAN PURCHASE—Ever since the tragic death of Maine State Trooper Detective Ben Campbell on the morning of Wednesday, April 3 while assisting a motorist the Katahdin Region has been reaching out to his family, wife Hilary (nee Arsenault) and sixth month old son, Everett.
People want to do as much as possible to help the family during these difficult times. Several fundraisers have come about including a gofundme account and the sale of bracelets on the family’s behalf.
A benefit dinner in honor of Det. Campbell was held at the Northern Timber Cruisers (NTC) Clubhouse on Thursday, May 9. It was a sellout and more as family and friends throughout the state came in support of this benefit.
The idea for the dinner came from Rachel Manzo an RN Case Manger at Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH); well, she actually credits her parents.
Manzo had been selling Thin Blue Line Bracelets made by Brandi Ireland and Sheena Boone from Norridgewock to help raise funds. Manzo’s father sprouted the idea for a dinner as he and his wife have been involved with fundraiser suppers at NTC for 30 years. Manzo decided that she would provide the organizational “brawn” for the event.
It didn’t take long for a sellout of 300 pounds of turkey, 250 pounds of potatoes, 20 dozen rolls and numerous cakes; all selling within 45 minutes of opening the doors. It included 180 takeout orders.
“I have to admit the outpouring of support was over whelming,” Manzo acknowledged. “I had to decline more volunteers than I could accept due to space.”
Businesses and organizations donated to help the cause: NTC, MRH, Pelletier’s, Hannaford, Rideout’s Market, Gracie’s Aunt’s Emporium, Plourde’s Rubbish and Recycling, Jordan Farms, Katahdin General, Sawmill, and McDonald’s.
In addition, adding to the fundraising efforts was a “Trooper” donation box manned by Kim Cox and T-shirts for sale and sold by Kati Pelletier. A 50-50 raffle was won by former Congressman Mike Michaud who donated the $307 back to the benefit bringing the total raised to over $8,000.
“I told Hilary this was a way for the community to show their support for her and Everett,” Manzo declared. “Nobody could make it better, nobody could take away her pain but this was the right thing to do. Hilary is not only my coworker and neighbor but she is my friend. I would do it all over again for her.”
A community coming together; it’s what it’s all about.
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About Millinocket Regional Hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital (MRH) is a 25 bed Critical Access Hospital nestled at the base of Baxter State Park that provides vital healthcare services to those who live, work and play in the Katahdin Region. Beyond the friendly staff and award-winning patient care, MRH provides an impressive range of specialty and general services; with a recent expansion resulting in the addition of eight new specialties and a Walk-In Care facility. In 2018, MRH was awarded the Press Ganey ‘Guardian of Excellence Award’ for exceptional patient experience; a nationally-recognized symbol of achievement for hospitals who consistently perform within the top 5%. Providing jobs to approximately 250 people, MRH is the largest employer in the Katahdin Region and a crucial economic driver within its community. For more information, please visit www.mrhme.org or www.facebook.com/MillinocketRegionalHospital