With Cumby's check, bench fund is halfway home

A fund has been set up to replace the Veterans Park bench.

MILTON - Cumberland Farms, which has a store in downtown Milton, has donated $100 to a fund-raising campaign aimed at replacing a Veterans Square bench that was destroyed by vandals last month.

The contribution comes on the heels of a misunderstanding in which a fund-raising volunteer was denied counter space for a donation can to solicit money for the fund.

Derek Beckwith, a Cumberland Farms spokesperson, said while Cumberland Farms does not allow donation space on its counters, the corporation donates thousands of dollars to the communities it serves in the form of scholarships and other philanthropic endeavors.

Les Elder, who is heading the fund-raising effort, said today he was happy with the donation from Cumberland Farms and that there was about $350 in the fund so far.

The replacement cost for the granite bench is expected to be around $700.

Beckwith said if anyone has an interest in approaching Cumberland Farms for help with a worthy cause, they should always start with the store manager, who can assist them in their effort.