When a Gorham resident with a brain tumor had to be in Boston for treatment, the GHOPE foundation’s Reed Allen Community Fund helped pay for a hotel room. When a family lost most of their belongings in a house fire, GHOPE stepped in with a donation. A young Gorham man injured in a car accident received help from GHOPE when paying for rehabilitation. The foundation made a one-time donation to the Town of Gorham for local families in need of emergency fuel assistance.

Now GHOPE itself is running out of money and needs community help. The foundation is holding a fundraiser so that the Reed Allen Community Fund can continue its mission of providing a quick financial boost to Gorham families in the aftermath of catastrophic events.

Two catastrophic events were the catalyst for the founding of GHOPE and the Reed Allen Community Fund. In 2012, fire nearly destroyed the Gorham House of Pizza (GHOP), and shortly afterward, owner Angelo Sotiropoulos was diagnosed with cancer. “Along with the miracle at GHOP, I had the miracle of surviving cancer,” Sotiropoulos said later.

Grateful to the Gorham firefighters for saving the building and for the support Gorham residents gave during its renovation and his illness, Sotiropoulos wanted to give thanks by starting a foundation honoring the memory of Gorham police officer and close friend, John Reed.

He also wanted to honor the spirit and strength of Dana Allen, a young Gorham High School graduate who died after a long battle with cancer. The organization he envisioned “could provide the love and support the community provided me.” Since then, the Reed Allen Community Fund has helped dozens of Gorham residents.

To raise the money needed to continue this work, Gorham House of Pizza purchased and donated hundreds of GHOP classic throwback T-shirts. The shirts are $20 each and all proceeds will go to the Reed Allen Community Fund to help families going through a crisis.

The GHOPE foundation has received financial support through fundraisers and contributions since its inception, and its Board is hoping the T-shirt sales will help the community fund stay solvent.

T-shirts are available at Gorham House of Pizza with cash or check payable to the Reed Allen Community Fund. In addition, Gorham Savings Bank is accepting deposits to the Reed Allen Community Fund account and will give donors a receipt to pick up a T-shirt at GHOP.