KINGFIELD, Maine — Hundreds of thousands of Mainers were left in the dark after last week's storm downed trees and flooded homes just a week before Christmas. For some, a holiday at home is no longer an option.
SANTOSHA at Hillholm Estate in Kingfield is opening its doors to anyone who needs a place to celebrate. Owners JennyBess Chaim and Matt O'Donnell said they opened the inn to people stranded after the storm, and the rooms filled with families immediately. After seeing so many people in their community in need, they wanted to give people a place to spend Christmas.
"We received a call from a friend who said that she had six feet of standing water in her basement and just wanted to come over for a shower, and we thought there must be so many other people in a similar spot," Chaim said. "I realized that there were people just like our friend all over the state right now that planned to host the holiday, and they just had no where to go."
The pair set a table for 20 for a Christmas Eve roast, and is willing to add as many placemats as needed if more people arrive.
"We have had a number of calls from folks who have said 'I'd really love to make a game time decision based on the state of my home right before the holiday,'" Chaim said. "I think everyone would prefer to be at home for the holiday, but if they can't, we'd love to have them here."
The inn will hold a Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals and will offer overnight accommodations.
"It's the spirit of the season for sure, but it's also, it's essential to living in a small community like this. Everybody helps everybody out in times of need," O'Donnell said.
O'Donnell grew up in Fairfield and has considers the Carrabassett Valley area "home." He said the "grim" flood damage he's seen this week jogs his memory back to the devastating 1987 flood.
"In times like this, it’s reaffirming to see people helping other people. You know, our humanity sometimes gets lost in the fast-pace craziness of life these days, and it’s a shame that it sometimes takes a natural disaster for people to come together, but that’s a silver lining in it all," O'Donnell said. "It’s really heartwarming to see the community pull together to help each other out. It’s really meaningful to be a small part of that."