Thank you From the bottom of our hearts to everyone who participated in the 31st Annual Benefit. We are truly blown away by the generosity of all those who love and want to help preserve and protect this special place – Acadia National Park.   The silent and live auctions received 472 individual bids from 164 bidders. Over 110 individuals (a participation record for the Benefit) donated to the Paddle Raise to launch the “Acadia Resilience Fund.” Altogether, in less than an hour, the virtual Benefit raised more than $400k for Acadia National Park!   Thank you to the Benefit Committee, this year’s co-chairs Laura and Vassar Pierce; Chilton Trust, our Presenting Sponsor; and to Mount Desert 365 for donating the display space for auction items and to all the volunteers, staff, Christie’s auctioneer Lydia Fenet, and all our bidders and donors for making the first virtual Benefit in FOA history a success! A highlight of every Benefit is the Paddle Raise.  Proceeds from the 2020 Paddle Raise are helping to fund the Acadia Resilience Fund to help the park address challenges related to the pandemic and Benefit participants raised their paddles to support this initiative.

If you missed the Benefit and would still like to contribute to the “Acadia Resilience Fund,” please use this form to donate: https://friendsofacadia.org/2020paddleraise/

Our special thanks to the Benefit Committee, this year’s co-chairs Laura and Vassar Pierce; Chilton Trust, our Presenting Sponsor; and to Mount Desert 365 for donating the display space.

About the Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit

The Friends of Acadia Annual Benefit has become a wonderful tradition celebrating conservation, friendship, and philanthropy, all to benefit Acadia National Park. Since its inception in 1990, the Benefit has raised over $15 million for Acadia; providing critical funds to support new and ongoing programs in Acadia that engage youth, protect natural and cultural resources, and contribute to a quality visitor experience in the park.

Benefit Patrons help to underwrite the costs of the event.

Thank you all!