80 Years After….
Marie Preston was the second Executive Director of Pine Tree Society – or Easter Seals as it was known then — and was instrumental in establishing Pine Tree Camp in 1945.
“It was a huge undertaking,” her son, Jim Preston, recalled. “She had to raise a lot of money and it was an enormous amount of work to get things running.”
Jim and his father, Burton Preston, worked together to get the cabins ready the first year. Most of the kids had never been away from home. They came to camp with mobility issues stemming from polio, farm accidents and other physical challenges.
When the gates opened that first year, 75 campers arrived.
“They came to spend the summer and our family planted a big victory garden and grew all the vegetables to feed the campers and counselors,” Jim said. “I have many fond memories of the campers. We would play together and I got to know so many of the kids over the years. We’d all have dinner together every night and, afterwards, people would sit and visit. It was a very close knit group.”
When asked what spurred his mother’s passion, Jim feels it was her personal experience with polio that drove her. As a small child, she was unable to walk and was wheeled around in a baby carriage until she was cured.
“After that, she could walk, but I’m sure it impacted her,” he said.
Thanks to Marie Preston, thousands of Maine people with disabilities have had their lives forever changed at Pine Tree Camp. She instilled the spirit of Pine Tree Camp in her son and in everyone who carries on her legacy today.
For 80 years, Pine Tree Camp has been a place where lifelong friendships are made. As we reach this major milestone — 80 years of discovering abilities together — we’re celebrating our community all year long.
“80 Years After” is a monthly spotlight series highlighting people who embody the spirit of Pine Tree Camp. You’ll meet leaders, alumni and campers spanning eight decades of compelling, personal stories about life-changing experiences at Pine Tree Camp.