What are your wishes and dreams? This week we feature Maine dreamers and dream-makers who remind us that dreams really can come true–and show us how we might help with community wish granting this holiday season. Join our discussions with Tom Peaco, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine, and the Fournier “Wish Family,” Midcoast Habitat for Humanity President, Vicki Doudera, and Steven Kelly, Asociate Publisher with Maine Media Collective.
Guests
Tom Peaco
Tom Peaco, a native of New Gloucester, Maine, joined Make-a-Wish Maine in March of 1997 as Executive Director. During his 15 years in this role, the organization has fulfilled the wishes of over 900 Maine children. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Make-A-Wish Maine grants the wish of another Maine child every five days, on average, and has fulfilled close to 1,100 wishes for Maine children since its inception in 1992.
Tom attended Syracuse University for two years, and then transferred to the University of Maine, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Tom Fournier
Prior to joining Make-A-Wish, Tom worked for nine years for the Boy Scouts of America. Tom served for seven years as a District Executive with the Pine Tree Council in Portland, providing direct service to all Scouting programs in Cumberland County. In 1995, Tom accepted a promotion to become the Finance Director of the Green Mountain Council based in Waterbury, Vermont, leading all fundraising efforts for Scouting in Vermont.
Tom and his wife, Michelle, live in Rockland with their sons, Zachary, Joshua, and Andrew. Tom is a member and Past President of the Camden Rotary Club, a board member and coach with Rockland Little League, and is otherwise active with his children in many ways as a Cub Scout leader and youth sports coach in Rockland.
Vicki Doudera
Vicki Doudera is a real estate broker with Camden Real Estate Company and former REALTOR of the Year. She writes the Darby Farr Mystery Series, published by Midnight Ink, which the Bangor Daily News called “riveting,” saying “Doudera masterfully uses the backdrop of high-stakes realty as a great setting for a murder mystery.”
Latest in the series is Deadly Offer, set in California wine country. Doudera serves as President of her local Habitat for Humanity affiliate and is the author of the bestselling Moving to Maine, published by Down East Books. Find out more about Vicki at her website.
Steve Kelly
Our third featured guest is Steven Kelly, Associate Publisher with Maine Media Collective.
Steve Kelly has been in advertising sales for over seven years. His career began at the award-winning newspaper the York County Coast Star based in Kennebunk. From there, he joined the team of Maine Home+Design in 2007, at their inception. He’s proud to play a part in the growth and sustainability of Maine Media Collective (the parent company of Maine Home+Design, Maine Magazine, Art Collector Maine, and Brand Co). Currently, he leads the sales team as well as plays a role in other aspects of the company. He lives in South Portland with his wife and son.