As some of you may have heard via the news or on our Facebook page, a terrible tragedy happened in Jackman in the early hours Tuesday morning: the driver of a tractor-trailer truck coming from Quebec, fully loaded with tree-length logs "fell asleep at the wheel" and flipped over, spilling the logs into the bottom floor of a family home, demolishing the ground floor, causing the second story to collapse upon it. While it is devastating to lose your home, this pales in comparison to the most important thing that was lost... and that is the life of one of their four children, their 5-year-old son. "Watching people come together in such a horrific time of sadness has been deeply gratifying and has truly exposed the goodness that exists in our community" as written by Becky Felker.
There will be a Candlelight Vigil this Saturday, July 23rd at 9pm to Sunday 12AM for Liam. If you are in town, you are welcome to attend. Or you can post a comment below that you will be attending from your own home. More information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=251020274910014

Becky also posted:
"Many people want to express their care and concern or offer help, but aren't sure how to best go about it, so if I may share some things with those on Facebook who may not have received the information in any other way, it may be of some help to some. An account has been established at Skowhegan Savings Bank to receive donations which may be mailed directly to the local branch's address, which is PO Box 141, Jackman, Maine 04945 or monetary donations may be dropped off at any Skowhegan Savings Bank location. Please designate Mahaney Benefit Fund. For those who would like to send condolences and/or donations directly to the family, please use PO Box 772, Jackman, Maine 04945. If you would like to make a donation of bottled water, milk, juice or paper goods to assist The Mahaney's and those folks who are caring for them through these next few difficult days, or if you would like to bring food (lunch or dinner), please call Francine Moore or myself (or drop either one of us an e-mail or give a call). Francine has an ongoing sign-up sheet covering the next two weeks of meals. When the family feels ready and when the time is right, a benefit dinner will be organized where we as a community can help the Mahaneys financially and also thank the tireless local Jackman Region Health Center Staff, Volunteer EMS, Volunteer Fire Department, US Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations as well as countless, selfless individuals whom I cannot begin to name nor properly pay homage to in this limited space. Please feel free to re post this note to reach those with whom I may not have Facebook contact. Thank you very much." Becky Felkner