Sunday, Aug. 17, dawned clear and sunny.  Outside, the school bus, fire engine, police cruiser, Lulu the Lunch Wagon, and Darling’s Ice Cream for a Cause were assembling; inside, the Wiscasset Community Center was abuzz with people putting the finishing touches on the tables of supplies and backpacks, stations for hairdressers, and informational tables for many community support groups. 

After several months of planning, fundraising, and purchasing, the day had arrived for what it all was about, and it did not disappoint. With over 45% of Wiscasset’s students, Pre-K to grade 12, as well as 14 homeschoolers and their families attending, the joyful energy was palpable. “Set for Success is an amazing effort fueled by love and… commitment to the common good. I saw so many students getting excited for school yesterday, it was wonderful,” wrote Kim Andersson, Wiscasset Superintendent of Schools.

Before the doors opened to the public, Jodi Hardwick, Co-Coordinator of Set for Success, told the 33 plus volunteers, “Our goal is simple - set each Wiscasset student up for a successful school year by ensuring each student has the necessary tools.  In doing so we not only help support their academic success, but also help boost self-esteem, and foster a sense of community and belonging.”  

Mary Coventry, Co-Coordinator, went on to say, “If we can provide one student with needed school supplies, some clothing, identify one student who may have trouble seeing, make one connection or a needed healthcare resource, or scholarships given them, an experience with a book or is awed by nature, make them feel good with a fresh haircut, or an introduction to a first responder who(m) they may later need to call upon, if we can make a difference to the one, then we will have been successful.”

Of course, all this could not have happened without the endorsement of the town’s Selectboard and the administration of the Wiscasset Community Center. A big thank you.

With the financial underpinning of Wiscasset Ford and other donors, large and small, financial and in-kind, the Set for Success supply team under the capable direction of Gabrielle DiPerri with Kristen Cowing and Richard Coventry, worked long and hard to make good and sensible use of monies available, scouring stores and sites for the best deals on large amounts of pens, pencils, water bottles, ear buds, and more. Those items not claimed on Sunday were boxed up and delivered to the schools to be stored as needed and handed out to those unable to attend on Sunday, so those unable to attend will not go wanting.

An attendee was overheard to say, “It gets better every year.” Reflecting afterward, DiPerri shared, “It was a great group of exhibitors - I think families really enjoyed themselves. A wonderful day!” 

And, after a much-needed respite, the team will be doing it all over again next year.