REM Award Honorees (2010 – 2011) — Ray Haskell (Alfond Youth Center)

As a new board member, Ray Haskell has literally jumped right in! Ray jumped into the Messalonskee Stream during February 2010, in a television commercial to bring attention to our programs and fundraising. He took the leap to promote the Annual Polar Bear Dip, and because, he is a big kid at heart. It was the first of many TV and print ads that he produced and sponsored.

For a special Benefit Golf Tournament to support our youth programs, Ray brought Major League Baseball alumni to join the foursomes on the links of Belgrade Lakes Golf Course. Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott of Farmington was a special guest golfer and happily signed autographs at Ray’s Tournament. The thought struck him to bring MLB Alumni to the tournament because the AYC Baseball Camp at Camp Tracy featured World Series pitcher Mike Torrez.

He brings to our Board of Directors an acute business sense and provides advice. Ray is an amazing asset to the Greater Waterville Area and Mid Maine Communities. He is a quiet, generous supporter of disadvantaged youth through the Alfond Youth Center and other non-profit organizations.

Ray spent most of his childhood in Weeks Mills, graduated from the Erskine Academy, and earned a business degree from the University of Maine at Augusta. After years of experience in the auto retail business, he was able to open Ray Haskell Ford-Lincoln-Mercury at 801 Kennedy Memorial Drive in Oakland. His business has grown through the strength and innovation of the Ford brand with such features as MyFord Touch and the family atmosphere shared by his employees. When a person on a limited budget walks into the dealership, the salesperson works hard to find a reliable vehicle within the person’s means.

This success has given Ray the ability to help youth who need the chance to succeed. Ray says that, “If you can get to kids now, and make an impact — get them to dream — then hopefully they will succeed, develop responsibility. If they grow up and have a good life, then the whole community benefits.”

He devotes his energy to the AYC because he wants to make chances for kids to learn what good choices are and for kids to learn form each other. In Ray’s words, he was drawn to the AYC because, “There is something there for every kid and every kid’s interests. In the After School Program, kids can explore art, karate, swimming, games, anything! The place is safe and serves kids great food for free.”

The Alfond Youth Center is proud to Honor Ray Haskell of Ray Haskell Ford!

For more information about the Alfond Youth Center, please visit its website.