BANGOR – The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine held its 25th Annual Meeting Friday, Oct. 29, raising a record $87,498 in the annual Log A Load For Maine Kids live auction and presenting awards to businesses, individuals, and legislators from across Maine for their contributions to the logging industry.
The meeting was held at a new location this year, the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, ME. Honored guests at the event included U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Congressman Jared Golden, State Sen. Russell Black, American Loggers Council (ALC) Executive Director Scott Dane, and retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Travis Mills of the 82nd Airborne.
“This event has set new records both for funds raised for our Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Bangor and Portland, and for attendance – we have never had nearly 200 people at an Annual Meeting before,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “No matter the challenges, this group continues to exceed expectations in every way and to stand strong for the industry and the Maine children and families who benefit from Log A Load for Maine Kids, and I could not be prouder of them.”
The day included a business meeting for PLC Member contractors in the morning, which featured a visit from Sen. Collins. It also included a presentation by Go-Lab President Josh Henry. A noon luncheon open to contractors, PLC Supporting Members, and guests was held with Scott Dane of the ALC the featured speaker. The evening events included the Log A Load for Kids Auction, dinner, awards ceremony, and a presentation by Travis Mills.
Awards were presented to the following individuals and organizations during the evening portion of the event:
PLC Logger of the Year Award: This award recognizes a PLC Logging Contractor for their commitment to the sustainability of the industry and logging as a profession. The recipient this year is: Thomas Logging and Forestry of Guilford.
PLC Impact Awards: Each year, the PLC recognizes someone from the public sector who has demonstrated a commitment to the industry and has made a significant impact for its improvement. This year the award went to three individuals, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Congressman Jared Golden, and Maine State Sen. Russell Black of Wilton.
PLC Community Service Award: This award is given annually to a PLC member, Supporting Member or affiliated organization that has demonstrated a significant commitment to giving back to their community. The recipient this year is: Treeline Inc. of Chester, Maine.
Acadia Insurance Safety Award: In 1999, the PLC and Acadia Insurance partnered together to make safety a priority in the logging industry by creating a member benefit for PLC contractors, providing training and education, reducing claims and increasing profitability. This award is given to a company that continuously demonstrates safety throughout their business. The recipient this year is: Carl Morneau, Morneau Logging, of Chapman, ME.
PLC Supporting Member Award: The PLC Supporting Member of the Year Award is presented annually to a PLC Supporting Member that has demonstrated an unprecedented commitment to logging contractors in Maine. The recipient this year is: The Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing (NEC).
PLC President’s Award: The President’s Award is presented to individuals or organizations within the PLC which have a significant and positive impact on the PLC and the logging industry in Maine. The recipient this year is: Jim Nicols of Nicols Brothers Inc. in Rumford.
The Annual Meeting live auction is one of the PLC’s major fund-raisers for the Log A Load for Kids Foundation to benefit Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals in Maine, and last year raised more than $59,000 in support of the cause. Fund raising efforts also include golf tournaments in northern and southern Maine, which this year both broke records and generated nearly $110,000 combined. The PLC’s Log A Load efforts have raised more than $1.5 million since 1995.
The PLC partners with the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH) and Northern Light Health Foundation for its annual Log A Load fund drive. BBCH in Portland and Northern Light’s Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor are Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
The PLC and the Northern Light Health Foundation (formerly Eastern Maine Health Systems Foundation) have partnered in the Log A Load fund-raising effort since 1996. Donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children in Maine as possible. Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor includes a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that has received support for years from the PLC’s Log A Load efforts.