For the first time in three years, the weather finally cooperated for the annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run event at Old Town High School's Victory Field on Sunday May 22nd.

On the warm 70 degree day filled with sunshine, kids from the baseball game below were able to grab a treat from the Darlings Ice Cream Truck, and support the cause that way. Then there were those that registered for the event. 

Today's national anthem was played by Old Town senior John Kenneway, and junior Nathan Hallowell. Jake Cormier, and Zach Wyles promoted the ice cream truck today at the walk-run event. 

More importantly, the turnout was great for a sunny day in Maine. "The turnout was great, and I didn't expect the ice cream truck to get so many involved. It really made today's effort so worth it." 

Archer says he won't reveal the final total until the beginning of June, most likely at the Old Town High School Awards Night where he will also award the two scholarship fund winners at Old Town High School. 

The silent auction will be starting in the next couple of days. That will be taking place for a week and a half when you receive the email. Look for this email address: [email protected]. He will notify you personally about your bid, and will get back to you if you are the highest bid on the item.  The time frame may be adjusted on how quick the items are claimed. 

You can find more pictures under the galleries section of our website. 

If you have any questions, or you want to get involved by making a donation, please send your donation to P.O. Box 1, Stillwater, ME 04489. Make checks out to: The Courageous Steps Project. 

The third annual Courageous Steps Walk-Run event is coming up on Sunday May 22nd at Old Town High School's Victory Field. For three years, Connor Archer has used this fundraiser to build up the Courageous Steps Project. 

"I feel that this fundraiser has moved the project into the right direction" said Archer, who created the fundraiser before giving the project it's initial name. 

On Sunday, Archer will have the Darlings Ice Cream Truck for a Cause present at Victory Field. Water will also be provided by Hannaford. 

The national anthem will be played by John Kenneway and Nathan Hallowell. Following that will be a message from Connor Archer thanking everyone for coming to the event. The walk portion will start at 12:30pm with the run portion following the run portion at approximately 1:15pm. 

A foul shooting/three-point shooting contest will take place down by the basketball court from 11am to 12pm. 

First 100 people to register get a free t-shirt. Pamphlets will be available at the registration table when you register or enter into the facility. 

For more information, please contact Connor Archer at: [email protected]. 

On Monday May 2nd, the Courageous Steps Project founder Connor Archer was honored by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for being selected as one of America's Top 10 youth service volunteers. To many it comes to no surprise, except for Connor. 

"I still cannot believe about what happened on Monday night. It's been overwhelming in an exciting way and it will continue to be for a little while" said Connor Archer. 

Archer was one of two honorees selected from Maine as a state honoree. Each state selects one middle school and high school student to attend a four day conference in Washington D.C. recognizing all the state honorees in a series of ways. 

Archer arrived in D.C. on Saturday where he met so many inspirational people in the country. Throughout the four days, Connor spent time with the councilors, and other state honorees, as he shared his project to a whole other audience. 

Most importantly Archer expressed how proud he was and humble about the whole award. "It's not my award, it's my community's award" added Archer.

Archer received an engraved gold medallion, $5,000 for him to use. He indicated that he would use it for his education if needed. He also was given a $5,000 grant to be given to a non-profit organization of his choice. Archer will announce that grant later this summer and early next fall. He will also receive a crystal trophy as a way to recognize the Courageous Steps Project itself. 

What's next for Archer? He plans on completing the non-profit status for Courageous Steps, and coming up with new initiatives for the project. He will announce those details at a later date. 

"The project has grown so fast in two years. Who knows what will happen in three more years" said Archer. 

As many of you know, May is a crazy month for the Courageous Steps Project with the project's biggest fundraiser on Sunday May 22nd, the scholarship fund awards ceremony coming up in June, and much more. 

On Sunday May 22nd, for those of you that don't know already, the project will be hosting it's 3rd annual walk-run event. Registration begins at 11am. The walk is at 12:30pm and the run is at 1:15pm. The national anthem this year will be played by Old Town High School Trumpeters John Kenneway and Nathan Hallowell. Program guides will be available that day along with banners of sponsors hung by the bleachers area. Businesses are still encouraged to join the cause this year by sponsoring the event. Nearly 50 sponsors have contributed so far, and i'm hoping for several more. Donations are also welcome, and registration forms are as well. If you have any questions, please let me know! 

Also coming up, is the 2nd annual presentation of the Courageous Steps Scholarship Fund, which supports graduating high school seniors, currently at Old Town High School, to take Courageous Steps of their own onto the next part of their lives. The scholarships will be announced on Thursday June 9th at the Old Town High School Awards Night. 

Throughout the rest of May into June, the project will be continuing it's non-profit process, so it can be completed in June and submitted for official status in 2017. If you have any questions about that, please contact me. 

The summer will prove to be another busy one, with our 3rd annual back-to-school drive kicking off, a benefit dinner in August, along with many projects that will be started up or continued from the previous years. More information will be provided at a later time. 

If anyone has other questions, please direct them to me, Connor Archer, at: [email protected].