John McDonald, Christine McDonald and Mike Foley of the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse were honored with ALF Len Hadley Volunteer Awards during the American Lighthouse Foundation’s annual Gala, which was held at the Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, on November 5, 2023.
John and Christine McDonald
(L to R) ALF 1st Vice-President Nick Korstad, ALF 2nd Vice-President Brad Coupe, ALF Treasurer Alan Ells, John Mcdonald, Christine Mcdonald and FOWIL chairperson George Bruns.
John and Christine Mcdonald were presented with Len Hadley Volunteer Awards for their outstanding work at Wood Island Lighthouse during 2022.
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)
John and Christine McDonald have been volunteering with the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse for several years. On any summer Tuesday morning, they both can be found aboard Light Runner for our weekly “Woodchuck” group maintaining the light station property. During the summer of 2022, they donated a new lawn mower to FOWIL to ease the job of cutting our enlarged lawn areas.
On many tour days, Christine can be found at Vines Landing signing in our guests for their tours. In 2022, John decided to become a docent and led a large number of tours during the season. In his tours, he encourages guest participation with his humorous “tests” of the knowledge learned from his presentations.
FOWIL volunteers Christine and John Mcdonald. (FOWIL photo)
When we needed additional volunteers to crew Light Runner, John again raised his hand and became a crew member. Christine’s and John’s enthusiastic participation in so many Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse activities was greatly appreciated.
We are pleased to honor them with 2022 Len Hadley Volunteerism Awards!
Mike Foley
(L to R) ALF 1st Vice-President Nick Korstad, ALF 2nd Vice-President Brad Coupe, ALF Treasurer Alan Ells, Mike Foley and FOWIL chairperson George Bruns.
Mike Foley was presented with a Len Hadley Volunteer Award for his outstanding work at Wood Island Lighthouse during 2023.
(Photo by Dominic Trapani)
Mike Foley joined the Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse volunteer corps as a member of the “Woodchuck” maintenance crew in 2022. As a licensed electrician, he volunteered his professional services over many hours during the past two seasons, including installing antique lighting fixtures in the residential rooms, new bathroom fixtures in the Keeper’s House, museum-style track lighting in the History Corridor, working on repairing the flagpole light and webcam, and installing the Ring security system.
FOWIL volunteer Mike Foley.
(FOWIL photo)
This season, he also coordinated the installation and permitting of a new electrical transformer involving the donor organization, Central Maine Power and the City of Biddeford and was there to assist on installation day. Whenever work needed to be done, Mike was there, be it checking the condition of the undersea cable ends, helping to evaluate and restore damage from Winter Storm Elliot, and assisting in the construction of our new septic system cover building. Mike’s contribution to the work of the Woodchucks and to the completion of numerous restoration projects were greatly appreciated.
We are pleased to honor him with a 2023 Len Hadley Volunteerism Award!
Wood Island Lighthouse, Biddeford Pool, Maine. ALF’s Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse cares for the light tower, keeper’s house, oil house, boathouse and grounds at the offshore historic site. (Photo by Dominic Trapani)
