Future MSAD 3 has received a $1,000 contribution from the Monroe Lions Club for First Things First, the fund drive to support the infrastructure for future athletic enhancements at the new K-12 Mount View School in Thorndike.

Officers of the Monroe Lions Club, from left Dave Doak, treasurer and on the right Mike Moody, president, recently presented a $1,000 check to Future MSAD 3 board member Judy Nealley of Monroe to support the First Things First campaign for Mount View. Both men are Mount View graduates - Doak is a member of the Class of 1967 and Moody graduated with the Class of 1978.

With more than 1.3 million members, Lions Club International is the world's largest service club organization. Future board chairwoman Vicki Kupferman of Knox acknowledged the contributions of the Monroe Lions Club throughout the area.

~So many of our neighbors are dedicated individuals committed to the concept of serving youth in our communities. On behalf of the Future board, we're grateful for the support of the Monroe Lions Club for First Things First," said Kupferman.

According to Monroe Lions Club treasurer Dave Doak, supporting First Things First was a good match for their service organization. ~We are interested in supporting youth athletics," Doak said. The Lions also sponsor two B.U.M. League basketball teams.

Lions Club President Mike Moody cited Future's campaign for The Clifford Performing Arts Center as an example of what can be accomplished for area youth when people work together. ~The new performing arts center at Mount View was such a great idea. Anything to actively involve kids in our district is something we like supporting," said Moody.

The service club is active in the community collecting useable eyeglasses for the Lions Eyeglass Recycling program and raising funds for youth athletics. Each year the Monroe Lions Club sponsors the Memorial Day Fair and Parade, featuring a chicken barbeque, craft tent, children's games, and horseshoes. Additional annual events include a Community Breakfast in March and the Hunter's Breakfast each November.

The Monroe Lions Club has 15 members who meet from September to May, the first Tuesday of the month at the Monroe Community Church on West Main Street, and as Moody pointed out, ~We're always looking for new members, both women and men, to join us."

Thanks to the generosity of Mount View alumnus Rob Nielsen '82 of Washington State, the Lions' contribution will be doubled. Future recently announced that Nielsen has offered a $5,000 matching gift for First Things First. The next $4,000 in contributions will be matched, according to Kupferman.

First Things First is the initial phase of a capital campaign for Mount View athletics. Future must raise $56,000 as soon as possible to complete the funding for the infrastructure that was put in place at Mount View's athletic complex this past summer and fall. The underground infrastructure needed to be in first - before any other athletic enhancements can be added. To date more $67,000 has been raised in contributions and pledges from 286 donors.

Funds raised through First Things First support areas not covered by the state or the district by providing water and electrical conduit to new and existing athletic fields, and water, power and sewer lines to a planned outdoor concessions building.

While a new, permanent outdoor concessions building to include athletic storage areas and public rest rooms will be funded later during a major capital campaign, Future is now raising funds for the building's utilities that have been put in place and capped - water, power and sewer.

Specific utilities funded by First Things First include:
Water and electrical conduit to the high school athletic fields, including baseball, field hockey, and two soccer fields, the new track, and multi-purpose field inside the new track.

Electrical conduit for lights at the multi-purpose field, at the track for a FinishLynx electronic timing system, and for a new scoreboard for football, soccer, and track.

Water and electrical conduit, and a sewer line to the planned concessions building site.

Future MSAD 3 is a non-profit organization run by a board of 18 community volunteers. Their mission is to raise funds to enhance particular areas in the new Mount View School complex not covered by state funding.

For more information on the campaign, Mount View athletic facility naming opportunities, or to contribute: call 207-948-6120 or email futuremsad3@yahoo.com or visit www.futuremsad3.org. Find Future MSAD 3 on Facebook. Contributions can be sent to Future MSAD 3, P O Box 151, Unity, ME 04988.

Future MSAD 3 board member Judy Nealley of Monroe points to the new eight-lane track and multi-purpose field at Mount View in Thorndike. Monroe Lions Club officers Mike Moody, center, and Dave Doak, right are both Mount View graduates. Future is raising private funds to enhance the school's athletic and recreational facilities.