(This was mailed to donors May 30, 2023)
Dear Swinging Bridge Supporters,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the dissolution of Save Our Swinging Bridge Organization (SOSB), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For over 20 years, our board of directors, along with volunteers, have worked tirelessly to support and maintain this beloved bridge connecting Brunswick and Topsham. Unfortunately, due to the financial impact caused by COVID-19 on our operations and resources, it is no longer feasible for us to continue our mission.
We are deeply grateful for all those who have supported us over these many years – donors who gave generously; volunteers who provided their time and energy; businesses that contributed goods or services; local government officials whose assistance was invaluable. All of you made it possible for us to make an impact by preserving this historic structure. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Together we have achieved so much over the last two decades before the founding and within the framework of the nonprofit Save Our Swinging Bridge Org.
Some of our accomplishments to date:
• April 2003: Project receives $304,000 from Federal Enhancement Grant Funds through Maine Department of Transportation. Grant application on behalf of the Town of Brunswick written by Elizabeth Glover, Nancy E. Randolph and Jessica Randolph. Steve Walker, then Natural Resources director for Town of Brunswick, helped finalize and create seven copies of the grant application as required by Maine Department of Transportation.
• January 2004: Placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Maine Department of Transportation with the assistance of the Swinging Bridge Fund History Sub-committee applied for this listing.
• 2004-2005 Fundraised over $700,000 including in-kind goods and services donated by companies throughout Maine.
• November 2005: Restoration completed and opened to the public.
• Summer 2007: Park-like entrances completed.
• September 8, 2007 Grand Re-opening and Dedication with three Roebling granddaughters attending.
• May 19, 2011: Maine Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) dedicated the bridge as a Maine historical civil engineering landmark.
• Since rehabilitation maintained the bridge and bricks using over $50,000 from donations given by over 300 people.
• In 2020, Brunswick repaired the tower on the Brunswick end of the bridge to replicate the repairs made on the Topsham end before the rehabilitation in 2006.
• May 2023: Donated $10,000 to the Androscoggin Riverwalk to help fund the local match for Preliminary Engineering for the section from the Swinging Bridge to the Route 1 entrance ramp near Fort Andross.
To ensure that any remaining funds will be used for repair and upkeep purposes as intended by SOSB’s mission statement, we are working with the Town of Brunswick and transferring assets accordingly. Any questions or concerns can be directed to donate@saveourbridge.org
Thank you all from the Board of Directors,
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P.S. Since this is the last year that the SOSB will be offering engraved bricks for donations, we are offering an extended deadline from June 15 to June 30 to our faithful donors. All donations, of course, will be allocated for maintenance to our Roebling-designed and -built bridge.
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