Maine came to a standstill Oct. 25, 2023, after a gunman opened fire in Lewiston and committed the worst mass shootings in state history. The tragedy, and subsequent three-day search for the perpetrator, gripped the Lewiston community and beyond with fear, sadness and uncertainty.

The 18 victims killed were enjoying a Wednesday night cornhole tournament at Schemengee’s Bar and Grille and bowling at Just-In-Time Recreation when their lives were senselessly cut short. Friends and family members of those killed, injured and present at the shootings number in the hundreds. The ripple effect from this tragedy reached all corners of the state, as we are all neighbors in this collection of small towns called Maine.

Like so many other individuals and organizations, MaineCF wanted to contribute what it could to the continuum of care for the Lewiston community. Within 36 hours of the shootings, the foundation established the Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund.

Sadly, there exists a long list of communities impacted by mass violence across the country. In the early hours after the shootings, MaineCF leaned heavily on a network of community foundations in Buffalo, New York, Boston and others to access the unfortunate best practices created following their similar experiences. With the help of Maine policymakers and victim advocates, the foundation quickly designed a fund that could help make the biggest financial impact for victims and families.

Jeff Dion, a national consultant who helps support philanthropic responses to mass casualty crimes, joined the foundation’s effort. His team’s expertise was essential to the foundation’s efficient response.

“There is a tremendous need for relief funds for survivors of mass casualty crimes,” Dion said. “The fund is an important part of the community’s healing process as it offers people an opportunity to counter a horrific act of violence with acts of generosity and compassion.”

Volunteers from the Lewiston area joined the two Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund steering committees, which drafted protocols to ensure a fair distribution process to both individual victims and nonprofit organizations supporting recovery efforts. Their time, dedication and compassion were integral to this process.

The Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Funds closed Feb. 20 with more than 5,241 contributions from around the world totaling $6.6 million, 100% of which was distributed directly to those impacted by the tragedy and organizations supporting the community recovery.

“MaineCF very quickly stepped forward to lead the philanthropic response and assembled an inclusive group of community stakeholders to serve on the local steering committees,” said Dion. “Its nimble response helped the process move forward quickly to get money to survivors in a timely manner. MaineCF leveraged its reputation and trusted relationship with the community to collect millions of dollars for survivors.”

The foundation’s response to this horrific tragedy is possible because its stable presence equips it to face unexpected circumstances and changing community needs. MaineCF will be here for the next 40 years and beyond to support Maine people and communities in hours dark and light.

Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund Steering Committees

Victims & Families Fund

• Tom Platz, chair, Platz Associates
• Deborah Anthoine, St. Mary’s Health System
• Kevin Bohlin, Maine Association of the Deaf and Pine Tree Society
• Cara Cookson, Office of the Attorney General
• Marc Frenette, Trafton, Matzen, Belleau & Frenette, LLP
• Meg Greene, Brann & Isaacson and John T. Gorman Foundation
• Laura Lee, Maine Community Foundation
• Neil Kiely, Androscoggin Bank
• Steven Littleson, Central Maine Healthcare
• John Ochira, Maine Community Foundation
• Catherine Ryder, Tri-County Mental Health Services
• Joe Samaha, Father of Virginia Tech shooting victim
• Sitara Sheikh, Maine Association of the Deaf

Broad Recovery & Organizations Fund

• Rebecca Swanson Conrad, chair, RSC Consulting
• Joleen Bedard, United Way of Androscoggin County
• Kevin Bohlin, Maine Association of the Deaf and Pine Tree Society
• Nathan Davis, Gateway Community Services Maine
• Virginia Dearani, Thomas College
• Julia Harper, Good Food Council of Lewiston-Auburn
• Jake Langlais, Lewiston Public Schools
• Muhidin Libah, Somali Bantu Community Association
• Leslie Ogilvie, Tri-County Mental Health Services
• Julia Sleeper, Tree Street Youth