Sally Cran has been a dedicated a volunteer with the Friends of Rockland Harbor Lights since the chapter was formed back in 1999 (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Friends of Rockland Harbor Lights volunteer Sally Cran was presented with a 2013 ALF Len Hadley Volunteerism award during the American Lighthouse Foundation’s annual Lighthouse Gala, which was held at the Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel on May 4, 2013.
Sally Cran is a founding member of the Friends of Rockland Harbor Lights, originally named Friends of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, being asked to take on the treasurer’s position for six months just to get the group going. Well six months turned into more than a decade!
Before Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was open to the public, Sally would sit in the park leading to the breakwater, as well as at local Wal-Mart, selling logo sweatshirts, mugs and mini Lefton replicas of the lighthouse, all the while asking for donations. You can see how the “treasurer” position also morphed into Sally becoming the group’s merchandise coordinator, being responsible for selecting, purchasing and tracking for inventory purpose all of FRHL’s lighthouse-related items.
(L to R) ALF 1st Vice-President Ross Tracy, Sally Cran and FRHL Chairman Eric Davis during the awards presentation (Photo by Ann-Marie Trapani)
Sally later became a fixture at all the local festivals, including the Lobster Festival, which is how ALF president and chapter chair Eric Davis personally came in contact with, and soon thereafter, joined the Friends group. Another fund raising effort involved making a quilt with six other ladies to raffle off, which netted almost $6,000.
Sally has been involved with nearly every fund-raising effort in the Friends of Rockland Harbor Light’s existence, as well as being a regular and reliable docent for countless open houses since the lighthouse has been open to the public. She has also been instrumental in getting the lighthouse ready for opening and closing each season, not to mention the number of baked goods she has provided for various events and functions.
Twelve years and $250,000 later – funds the chapter has invested into the restoration of Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, Sally stepped down from the treasurer’s position but has by no means become inactive. She continues to involve herself with gift shop activities as well as volunteer at events and open houses.
Recognition for all of Sally’s efforts on behalf of the Friends of Rockland Harbor Lights is long past due and is why she is the 2013 Len Hadley Volunteerism award recipient for Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
Thanks to exceptional volunteers like Sally Cran, FRHL is able to continue to preserve Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse and share its rich history with the public (Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.)
Colleen Richmon says
Congratulations, Sally. You are so deserving of this award!