Buzz and Sandra are featured in our Spring 2013 Grassroots Newsletter. This is the extended article and interview with the Hartfords.

Buzz and Sandra Hartford of Cumberland Center, Maine, have been involved with Curamericas since 1976, seven years before the organization was even established!  The Hartfords first met Curamericas co-founders, Henry Perry and Alice Weldon at their church in Scarborough and remained friends as the planning stages of the community health project that would eventually become Curamericas developed and expanded.

The Hartfords were part of an early fundraising and publicity effort by the Amigos group which was formed in Portland, Maine, to support the project.  They saw the need for poor, rural communities to receive basic health care in a part of the world that wasn’t being reached.

Buzz and Sandra spend their winters in North Carolina and beyond donating to our work, this year they also volunteered at our office in Raleigh. They continue to advocate on behalf of Curamericas and Sandra has recently spoken about our work at their church in Graham.

What has surprised you most about Curamericas?

How it has expanded to different places in the world; the growth is very satisfying.  We’ve also been pleasantly surprised at the success of the Census-Based, Impact-Oriented (CBIO) method in lowering the number of child deaths and the many people who continue to give back to Curamericas.

How did family and friends respond when you first asked them to support a project in another country?

They were very curious about what the project would accomplish and at the time, three decades ago, there was a lot of skepticism about overcoming such great poverty to actually make a difference. Our daughter, Jean, who lives in Chapel Hill, visited a project in Ancoraimes, Bolivia in 1983, and she and her family are pleased that we are still involved. We tell everyone about Curamericas!

What do you wish other people knew about Curamericas?

The way the project is structured; to track and collect data from each person served to measure the effect and impact on their health. Also that contributions are used for the projects and that they are used wisely. It’s important to us that Curamericas teaches communities how to take care of themselves and then trains local people to be leaders. Curamericas has overcome obstacles through the years and has continued to grow and provide services to people who had none.

Staying Busy in Retirement

Married for 54 years, the Hartfords like to keep in touch with friends and family and spend time with their two daughters, Jean and Patti, their sons-in-law, and their four grandchildren.

Buzz works at the NASCAR race track in Maine from April to September, in the administrative office and the box office.  Sandra officially retired from Scarborough Public Library, but when she’s home in Maine still takes some shifts in reference, circulation and children’s.

Buzz and Sandra have served as volunteers for many years. Both taught Sunday School when their daughters were young.  Buzz sings baritone bass in the church choir and Sandra is on the library committee at Graham United Methodist Church.

Sandra dedicated many hours to the Campfire Girls, Scarborough School Board, a Civic Center Board, and on mission committees.  Being active and sharing time and doing things for others is natural for them.

Buzz volunteered with a Methodist youth camp for 10 years and at the Bruce Roberts Christmas Toy Fund for 13 years in Maine.  He also cooked monthly meals and secured a grant for Friendship House, a home for recovering alcoholics.

Buzz and Sandra, thank you for your many years of generosity and support!

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