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As part of its ongoing commitment to lighthouse preservation Lighthouse Depot of Wells donated $6,000.00 to the Friends of Rockland Breakwater to help in their fundraising efforts to restore the historic structure.
The money came primarily through the sales at Lighthouse Depot of the limited edition replica of the Rockland Lighthouse produced by Harbour Lights of California, a manufacturer of popular replica collectibles. Last year, when Harbour Lights released its limited edition replica of the lighthouse, the company agreed to donate $5.00 from each replica sold toward the restoration efforts of the lighthouse. “That’s when we came up with the idea of having Lighthouse Depot double that amount to $10.00 for each replica that was sold by us in the year 2000,” said Tim Harrison, cofounder of Lighthouse Depot, which has a mail order catalog and retail store in Wells.
“This large contribution check means a lot toward our fundraising,” said Dot Black, co-chair of the Friends group, “Lighthouse Depot has always been a great help to our group, in fact it was Tim Harrison who was instrumental in founding the Friends of the Breakwater.”
The group hopes that sales will continue to be brisk for the replica, which is limited to 6500 pieces made. “If the Friends group can help Lighthouse Depot sell out the remaining pieces by the end of September, then Bill Younger, the founder of Harbour Lights will be able to present the Friends with a check for $32,500 on his visit to Maine on September 29th. “So, we are encouraging everyone we know to purchase this replica,” said Black. She went on to say, “Not only is it a beautiful collectible that can be displayed in any home or office, buying one helps save the lighthouse, which is the only lighthouse of its style in the nation.”
Under the Maine Lights Program, the ownership of the 1902 Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, was transferred from the United States Coast Guard to the City of Rockland. However, since very little or no taxpayer money is to be used to restore the lighthouse, the Friends of the Breakwater must raise all the money through private donations.
For more information or to make a donation you can contact Friends of the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, P.O. Box 741, Rockland, Maine 04841. The Rockland Breakwater replica is available from Lighthouse Depot, PO Box 427, Wells, ME 04090. To order the replica or learn more about lighthouses on the internet you can go to www.LighthouseDepot.com
This story appeared in the March 2001 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.
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