Second annual Community Coin Challenge By Jon Bolduc

2nd annual Coin Challenge
By Jon Bolduc

Last Wednesday, the second annual Community Coin Challenge held a kick-off party in the Windham Weaponry parking lot, beginning this year’s festivities to help food pantries in the area.
The kick-off party included live music from deBreeze N Keys, a cash bar, free food, and a chance to help fill mason jars to the brim with coins which will be donated to food pantries of ten local towns which are covered by the Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce.
Organized by chamber member Sheri Huff, this year’s coin challenge should be better than ever. The Challenge raised over $21,000 in donations last year, blowing the original goal of $5,000 out of the water. Due last year’s success, Huff aims to raise $40,000 this year.
The communities’ support has been overwhelming both this year and last year. “It’s been fabulous. Better than ever,” said Huff.
Thomas Bartell, the Windham Economic Development Director, agreed. “This idea is entirely out of Sheri’s mind,” he said. “It’s an incredible success,” he continued. Both Huff and Bartell have high hopes for the challenge this year.
“This year, it’s better than ever. It’s a great connection between local businesses,” he said. Last year more than 32 local businesses were involved in Octoberfest, and Windham Weaponry, the signature sponsor of the coin challenge, lent its building to the kick-off party on Wednesday.
According to Huff, the inspiration for the coin challenge dawned on her as she was on her elliptical one morning last year.
“The chamber wanted an event that included every town,” she said. “Every town had a food pantry.”
Next up for the challenge is the second annual Octoberfest, which will be held Saturday, October 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Buck’s Naked BBQ parking lot. Last year’s Octoberfest drew in over 3,000 people, and this year’s lineup has enough entertainment to occupy the entire family from start to finish. Activities include face painting, bouncy houses, a beer garden and helicopter rides. Everything offered at Octoberfest is free of charge. For more information, visit sebagolakeschamber.com.