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FAIRFIELD — The 15th annual “Warming Up for Christmas” benefit guitar concert on Dec. 3 honored Cassidy Charette, brought more 600 people to the Williamson Auditorium and raised more than $12,000 for the ShineOnCass Foundation.
Organized by Steve Fotter, a local musician and guitar instructor from Benton, the three-hour concert featured 70 of his students and local talent performing rock, blues, jazz and folk Christmas music. Fotter said it was the largest fundraiser in his concert’s 15-year history, which in total has raised more than $100,000 for local charitable organizations.
“This year’s concert was extra special,” Fotter said. “We are so grateful for the love and support of sponsors, friends and our community who made this happen. It was all for Cassidy, and we were honored to perform in her honor and memory.”
Cassidy Charette was killed Oct. 11, 2014, following a hayride accident. Just 17 years old at the time of her passing, the Messalonskee High School teen was a standout student and soccer player and a lifelong community volunteer and youth advocate. In the past two years, her friends and family have started multiple programs and services to honor her. Fotter said the concert was part of the community’s effort to “Shine On Cass.”
The ShineOnCass Foundation was created by the Charette family to educate, inspire and empower youth to continue Cassidy’s passion for caring for others through volunteer charitable activities. Some of the programs created in Cassidy’s honor and that will be supported by the foundation include “Cassidy’s Kitchen,” an outdoor kitchen built at Hart to Hart Farm & Education Center in Albion; “Cassidy’s Kids” at Mount Merici Academy in Waterville, where the school has added an eighth-grade yearlong service project in Cassidy’s honor; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mid-Maine, which has started three new school and site-based mentoring programs in her name; and Messalonskee High School Girls Soccer, which has created an annual girls youth soccer mentoring day called “Shine On Saturday.”
Additionally, the foundation awards an annual $3,000 ShineOnCass scholarship to a graduating senior and “ShineOnCass” service awards at Messalonskee High School.
At the end of the holiday program, Fotter performed a song with the band, which he wrote and recorded to honor Cassidy. The song, “Cass is Everywhere” and the video, can be heard and viewed on the ShineOnCass Facebook page.
The Charettes said money raised in Cassidy’s memory will continue the work of their daughter and sister.
“It is our intent that the ShineOnCass Foundation will not only sustain, but propel Cassidy’s spirit, her hopes and dreams, far into the future,” Monica Charette, Cassidy’s mother, said. “Her kindness will live on through the hands and hearts of those who will embrace opportunity to serve and care for others. Cassidy’s light will shine on forever.”
