PORTLAND, Maine — Charlie Hewitt, the Maine artist best known for his hopeful signs that can be seen in Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and many other places, was especially hurt and saddened by the shootings in Lewiston.
It’s his hometown, a place that gave him more than he could ever repay.
“It’s driven part of my narrative my whole life,” Hewitt said. “It’s where I got my courage, learned to work, got my faith. I got my unique identity in the French-Canadian culture. It’s an enormous amount of pride that comes from that.”
The shootings, he said, broke his heart. But out of his grief came a desire to help, and with a friend who is also from Lewiston, Chris Thompson, Hewitt is organizing a fundraiser called Lewiston Strong, Maine Strong that will take place at Thompson’s Point in Portland from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9.
The event is free, open to the public, and will feature food, drinks, music, companionship, a raffle, an auction and more. All the proceeds will go to the victims and their families in Lewiston.
There’s no doubt the money is important and will help people who keenly need it. But the importance of being with other people to show solidarity with Lewiston shouldn’t be underestimated.
“We can cry. We can hold each other,” Hewitt said about the event, pausing to keep his emotions in check as he pats his heart. “We can be there.”