Helping kids pull through August 8, 2011By Emma Bouthillette, Portland Press Herald Staff Writer
Photos by Gabe Souza/Portland Press Herald Staff Photographer
A Saco club's tractor pull raises fun for children with life-threatening illnesses, as it also supports Make-A-Wish.
SACO - Isaac Tucker focused as he drove a small tractor down a straight path pulling a weighted machine behind him, stopping only as a red flag flew up in front of him.
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| Calvin Curro, 9, of Biddeford holds on as he rips down the dirt track during the tractor pull in Saco on Sunday that benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation. |
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| Adam Watson of Lebanon provides a helping hand to Jack Taylor, 6, of Portland. |
Volunteers unhitched the tractor, and Isaac drove it back around for the next child to get in line and try his or her hand at tractor pulling.
As he took off the helmet and went back to his mother's side, the concentration that had been on his face while driving was replaced with a smile.
"I like that one better," he said, telling his mother, Marissa Tucker, that it was faster than the first one he tried.
Isaac, 9, of Biddeford was one of 19 "Make-A-Wish children" at Sunday's tractor pull hosted by the Southern Maine Garden Tractor Club as a fundraiser for the nonprofit that grants wishes to young children with life-threatening illnesses.
Now in its fourth year, the tractor pull and afternoon auction raised more than $6,000. Last year, the club raised $9,300, nearly enough to grant two wishes.
"I think it's a pretty good event. It's really fun, and kids can just enjoy," Isaac said.
His mother said Isaac has been receiving chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
After more than three years of treatment, she said, he will be in remission in October.
Isaac is still deciding what his wish will be, but his mother said Sunday was just a way for him to have fun.
When Ernie Lowell -- the man Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteers describe as "the heart behind the event" -- proposed the benefit tractor pull four years ago, that's just what he had in mind.
"Today, there is no needles, no nurses, no rehab, no doctors, no hospitals. Thank God for them all, but today is about fun," he said.
In addition to all the tractor pull competitions the club participates in, Lowell said they have two "fun pulls" a year.
Sunday was one of them and club members were on hand, helping the children drive the tractors and cheer them on.
"This is incredible," said Linda Jackson-Phillips, a wish-granting volunteer. "The support and dedication this club has for Make-A-Wish goes beyond words."
She said the Maine chapter of Make-A-Wish Foundation grants an average of one wish every five days. A wish costs about $6,000, and the nonprofit relies on donations and fundraisers.
"That's why this event is so important to us," she said.
For three years, James Taylor, 9, of Portland has been in remission from medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. In January, Make-A-Wish Foundation sent James and his family to Sea World in Florida.
"It was awesome," said his mother, Jenn Taylor.
His father, Don Taylor, was impressed by the efforts of the club to pull such an event together.
"Without efforts of local clubs, I would hate to think some wishes wouldn't be granted," Don Taylor said.
While the tractor pull gave the children a morning of fun, it was an afternoon of competitive bidding that raised the money.
Club members and area businesses donated hundreds of items to be auctioned off, from hanging flower baskets and baked goods to a wooden swing and even two pigs.
The painting of a home was auctioned off for the sixth time to benefit children. It sold for $275 this year, the highest anyone has ever bid on it.
"It's twofold, really. The children have a good time pulling the tractors, and they all get trophies. And the auction helps Make-A-Wish children," Lowell said.
2011 Fantasy Auction Raises Enough to Grant Over 20 Wishes!
July 5, 2011 – The Woodlands Club in Falmouth was filled with beautiful decorations, generous bidders and dreams come true on the evening of June 23.
With each paddle raised at the 2011 Make-A-Wish Fantasy Auction, dreams of hugging Mickey, going on a dinosaur dig, meeting a favorite rock star, having a shopping spree and more came closer to being reality for Maine wish children.
An auction committee led by local residents Judy Forsley and Beth Goodrich ensured that critical funds were raised to help bring hope, strength and joy to Maine children fighting life-threatening medical conditions. 
“I was thrilled with everything about the evening,” said Beth Goodrich, Auction Co-Chair. “The energetic volunteers, entertaining auctioneers, heartfelt speakers, phenomenal sponsors and generous guests all combined for a very special evening.”
Not only did the evening inspire donors and sponsors to give over $120,000, but a wish was granted right before their very eyes that night.
Jacob, 16, of Kennebec County was under the impression that he was getting escorted to and from the Fantasy Auction by limousine because he would be the evening’s guest of honor. However, much to his surprise, the ATV he had wished for was revealed at the beginning of the event.
There to present the ATV to Jacob who has been fighting cancer was Maine’s very first wish child, Rob Seelye of Calais, who received his own ATV when he was 13-years-old in 1993. Now 32, Rob talked about what the wish experience meant to him and his family when he himself was fighting cancer. Afterwards, he snuck backstage to ride the new ATV into the ballroom.
Among the 220+ guests at the event were several employees of NewPage Mill in Rumford who raised enough money to sponsor two wishes ($12,000), including Jacob’s wish.
“It was a perfect time to for our employees to step up and pay it forward on behalf of the many wish children whose family members work at the Mill,” said Susan Mills of NewPage Mill. “It was truly a magical moment for all of us to witness Jacob receiving his ATV wish. Knowing that we had a hand in making his dream come true was very rewarding.”
Sponsors who made the evening possible include: VIP Parts, Tires & Service, PowerPay, The Liberty Family Foundation, Tyler Technologies, Residential Mortgage Services, Pape Chevrolet, Shipyard Brewing Co., Unum, Rigby Storage, Seadog Brewing Co., Inn on Peaks Island, White Rock Distilleries, CompuPay, Hurley Travel Experts and Coyaba Beach Resort.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine grants a wish to a Maine child, on average, every five days and each wish costs approximately $6,000.
"I was honored to have the opportunity to work with the staff of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine on this event,” said Auction Co-Chair Judy Forsley. “They are a World Class organization that is truly dedicated to the happiness and well being of all their 'Wish Kids'.”
