SACO — State Rep. Don Pilon is hoping to create enough interest to keep the “Support Our Troops” plate from being discontinued.

The specialty license plate features an image of a yellow ribbon superimposed over the state of Maine. Along the bottom it reads, “We Support Our Troops.” Ten dollars from each plate sold goes to a fund to provide financial assistance to members of the military and their families.

Pilon raised the necessary funds and generated signatures to get the plate in circulation in 2007.

In order to keep the plate in circulation, there must be at least 4,000 plates issued. In September, Pilon received notice from Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap that the plate was 455 short of the threshold.

On Monday, Pilon said that he was just 180 short of the threshold.

Over the past month, through local media outlets and veteran and military groups, the word has gotten out about the plate.

“It’s gotten tremendous support,” said Pilon.

Martin’s Point Health Care, which provides a health plan that covers military retirees and families of those in active duty, gave financial support when Pilon was working to get the plate into circulation. When officials at the health care center learned that the Support Our Troops plate was in danger of being discontinued, a notice was printed in the employee newsletter about the plate with information on how to purchase one, said Amy Landry, communications specialist for Martin’s Point.

“The military population is very important to us,” said Landry.

Pilon will be speaking, over the next two weekends, to National Guard units to encourage them to purchase the plate. He believes that he will be able to “close the gap,” and convince enough people to buy the plate to meet state requirements.

The Support Our Troops plate fund has generated nearly $50,000, according to a written statement from the Maine National Guard. Money from this fund can help pay for car repair bills, heating costs or unforeseen emergencies for families of a deployed soldier.

“If we lose the plate, they lose the revenue source for these families,” said Pilon.

In early 2010, nearly 50 percent of the Maine Army National Guard will be deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the National Guard’s statement.

“This is a very sensitive time to think about retiring this income stream ”¦” said Pilon.

The plates can be obtained through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles, and are available regardless of when a registration expires.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.