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SANFORD — It’s a job that sometimes goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Being a first responder at a scene, whether it’s related to crime, a medical situation, or a fire, is never an easy job. It takes a special kind.

On Saturday, the Sanford Mainers will be recognizing these heroes prior to the start of their regular season game against the Newport Gulls, with help from the game night’s sponsors of Strategies for a Stronger Sanford and Partners for Healthier Communities. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m., while pregame ceremonies will begin shortly after 6 p.m.

Just recently, Sanford experienced a dangerous fire at the Stenton Trust Mill, where a five-story abandoned mill building went up in flames, calling for more than a dozen fire departments from surrounding communities to assist. The aftermath produced no injuries or fatalities, and the surrounding properties suffered limited to no damage. This event truly captures how important the jobs of the first responders are.

Southern Maine Health Care will also be in attendance on Saturday, collecting brand new stuffed animals to help benefit the toy program in the emergency department at the SMHC Sanford location. These stuffed animals are given to ill or injured children who are brought to the ER to help get them through their time while sick, hurt or frightened. Fans who bring a new stuffed animal to the park will be able to have some fun and get into the baseball spirit by “pitching” the stuffed animal into a giant toy box.

“As a non-profit and a member of the community ourselves, the Mainers love supporting other important members of the community as much as we can,” said Mainers Vice Chairman Jacob Ouellette. “This night allows us to highlight one of the most respected jobs out there. They deserve to be recognized and if we can help make that happen even just a little bit, we’ll take it.”

Gates to the game will open at 5:30 p.m. For more information on the toy box program at SMHC, contact Kim LaChance at the Sanford Campus at (207) 490-7322. The Mainers remaining schedules, ticket information, and other news and events can be found on www.sanfordmainers.com.


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