The Charles & Constance Schmid Land Preserve located in Edgecomb held a raffle and fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Blanchard’s Creamery. The purpose of this was to raise money for the newly established Schmid Preserve Endowment Fund and to educate people about the 766-acre preserve in the middle of Edgecomb. Blanchard’s Creamery, located on Route 27, created a special flavor of ice cream – Mount Hunger Mudslide - for the event which was a deliciously big hit and sold out.

The raffle prizes were donated by local artisans and neighbors and brought in over $1,000 in cash to add to the endowment fund. So far, the fundraising this year has netted over $40,000 which will be added to the initial start up of $10,000 for a total of just over $50,000. The endowment principal is managed by the Maine Community Foundation and the yearly interest of 4% can be used by the preserve for special projects or reinvested. Starting the endowment is one of the suggestions in the recently updated Forest Management Plan for the preserve.

If you would like to donate to the endowment, you may mail a check made out to The Town of Edgecomb/Schmid Preserve, P.O. Box 139, Edgecomb, ME 04556 or to donate online go to www.mainecf.org, click on the GIVE NOW button and choose Charles and Constance Schmid Land Preserve Endowment Fund from the drop down menu. All donations will go directly into the endowment fund and be used solely for the Schmid Preserve, a beautiful local asset for all to enjoy.