Maine Marathoners Encouraged by Non-profits Along the Race Course

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Members of the Taiko Maine Dojo Organization Performing for the Maine Marathoners This Afternoon in Front of Foreside Antizues, Route 1, Falmouth.  Pine is in the Middle in the Red & Blue Jacket.

Melinda Alcosser, One of the Volunteers Today at “Call to Care Uganda” Distributing Water to Marathon Runners.

The Non-profit “Call to Care Uganda” Based in Madison, CT., was Distributing Water to Raunners Along the Course Today by a Group of Volunteers.  (Founder Martha Hoffman was Unable to Attend Because of an Illness; Not Covid-19)

“We’ve been asked to participate in the Maine Marathon every year since I’ve been involved,” said Alex Pine, organizer of the Taiko Maine Dojo club.  And that goes back to 2015 he said this afternoon.  And possibly before that as well.

The group, a Japanese drumming club, was performing to support the runners in their running challenge in front of Foreside Antiques, Route One, Falmouth, when their drumming caught the attention of this blogger.  They had been drumming at this site since 8:00 am and were about to end at 1:30 pm when mhn.com saw and heard them.

According to Pine, this  Club is open to everyone; it is multi-ethnic and multi-age  Club members meet every Thursday from 6:00 pm – 8:00 at space behind Becky’s Diner, on Commercial Street.

Today performers were using two different drums; there were two smaller drums called shimes.  There were four drums of a medium size – called chudaiko.  The largest drum – an odailo – was not in use today because it was simply too large to transport to this roadside location today said Pine.

Moments before, “Call for Care Uganda” likewise caught the attention of this blogger just shy of the bridge dividing Portland and Falmouth, near the former Martin’s Point Health Care site.

Based in Madison, CT., this non-profit was founded by Martha Hoffman 13 years ago.  It’s purpose is to raise funds to dig wells in Uganda – places where there is no water available at all.  To date, the group has raised enough funds to dig 74 wells.  Each well costs $10,000 to dig.  The non-profit was distributing water to runners in the Maine Marathon today.  About $7,000. had been raised by runners participating in today’s races.  Almost enough money to dig another well.

“We are well known in Madison because of the work we do,” said Nancy Alberico, corporate secretary.  Now this non-profit is better known in Portland, Maine as well.  A great cause worth supporting, if you can. For more information, please visit its website:  www.calltocareuganda.  Phone number is 203 245-8713.

Over 3,500 people ran in the Annual Marathon.  The course goes from Portland to Falmouth to Yarmouth and back to Portland and the finish line.