I am responding to the Feb. 28 letter from Michael Garguilo of Waterville regarding the turf field project in Augusta (“People are hungry; Cony turf should wait“). Mr. Garguilo questioned why the Augusta School District is spending $2.6 million on turf fields vs. laying off cafeteria staff.

The two items referenced have no correlation. School expenses are appropriated through the school budget process, funded by Augusta taxpayers. Unlike recent turf projects completed or underway (Messalonskee, Gardiner and Bangor), the Augusta turf field project has no municipal funding.

The disappointment among student-athletes, their families, and the entire community when the project was put on hold last year was distressing. I can’t begin to describe the feeling of euphoria that Bob Fuller’s transformative gift created, particularly among the student-athletes who lost so much over the past year.

Bob’s philanthropy to many other causes is profound. He is one of Augusta Food Bank’s biggest supporters, helping to fund the building of its new facility and providing annual support of its Weekend KidsPak program. Food pantries in Winthrop and Mount Vernon have also benefitted from Bob’s generosity. So has Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, Good Shepherd Food Bank.

There are many community causes Bob’s generous hand has touched: Camp KV for Kids, Kennebec Valley YMCA, Lithgow Library, MaineGeneral Medical Center, Kennebec Historical Society, Cony High School. The list goes on and on.

Most communities and causes have a leading advocate; Augusta has Bob Fuller as its champion and the city is better off thanks to him. I’m employed at a local food bank and volunteer with the turf field fundraising committee. I shudder to think where either would be without the generosity of Bob Fuller.

Bob Moore
South China