Former Maine Gov. Paul LePage and former First Lady Ann LePage will host a Celebration of Life fundraising event for the families of the victims of the Mainers who were killed or wounded in the Oct. 25 mass shooting in Lewiston.
LePage, who spent part of his childhood growing up in Lewiston on Lincoln Street, less than a half mile from Schemengees Bar and Grill, said he wants to get money to the 31 families before Christmas Day.
“We’re doing this just for families, and we want to get the money into their hands before Christmas, so the kids that can get a few gifts and they can ease a little bit of the pain, and bring a little sunlight to this horrible tragedy,” LePage said.
The event will take place on Dec. 15 from 5-8 pm at the Royal Oak Room in Lewiston.
The Lewiston-Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce Foundation has partnered with LePage to make the event happen, and donations are being accepted via its website under “Celebration of Life – LePage Fund”.
A source familiar with the effort said the LePages have received more than $250,000 in donation commitments in advance of the fundraiser.
The shooting, carried out by Robert R. Card, Jr., is currently the subject of an investigation by a commission formed through an executive order from Gov. Janet Mills.
The following Mainers lost their lives the night of the shooting.
- Tricia C. Asselin, 53
- Peyton Brewer-Ross, 40
- William Frank Brackett, 48
- Thomas Ryan Conrad, 34
- Michael R. Deslauriers II, 51
- Maxx A. Hathaway, 35
- Bryan M. MacFarlane, 41
- Keith D. Macneir, 64
- Ronald G. Morin, 55
- Joshua A. Seal, 36
- Arthur Fred Strout, 42
- Stephen M. Vozzella, 45
- Lucille M. Violette, 73
- Robert E. Violette, 76
- Joseph Lawrence Walker, 57
- Jason Adam Walker, 51
- William A. Young, 44
- Aaron Young, 14
Paul – man do we miss you!