By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Kevin Benoit knew Bridgton is a special place, but the former Massachusetts resident has discovered what a huge heart the community truly has.

“This town is incredible,” Benoit said. “For what people have done for Melissa is unbelievable. We’re very grateful.”

Melissa Scammon is Kevin’s fiancé. She was the victim of a brutal early morning attack while walking to work. She suffered serious injury, but is slowly on the road to recovery.

Shocked by the brutality, area residents responded by donating over $30,000 to a GoFundMe drive to assist Melissa in her recovery.

Michelle Mowatt and Mark Lopez wanted to do more. To give Melissa peace of mind and security, Mowatt and Lopez found themselves on the same page — let’s raise money to buy Melissa a car. 

“For my birthday this year, I’d like to raise money for a local woman that had a horrific experience walking to work…Let’s raise money for her to maybe purchase a vehicle so she doesn’t have to walk at 4:30 in the morning,” Mowatt posted on Facebook. “I do not know her (Melissa) personally, but I’ve seen her around and she’s always so friendly.”

Mowatt and Lopez joined forces, and then reached out to Bill Macdonald of Macdonald Motors. As donors pledged money, the wheels of this fundraiser started to roll.

“They asked me this is something they would like to do, what do you think? It’s a great idea, let’s do it. I don’t think they know each other, but they got this up and going,” Macdonald said. “It’s pretty fantastic.”

Macdonald joined the effort by making a donation, as well as searching for vehicle for Melissa and Kevin. 

“We were up at $17,000 for the vehicle. We had some people who donated some fairly substantial amounts — a couple of $5,000 donors — but also people donating $10, $20, $50. It was across the spectrum that people wanted to get involved and help her,” Macdonald noted. “We had money to cover the sales tax and registration, and gave them options for the leftover funds. They went with an extended warranty.” 

Oberg Insurance donated first year insurance coverage for the vehicle.

Last Friday, Melissa and Kevin were greeted by several donors as they received the keys to their Jeep Compass.

The support from people in Bridgton and other communities left Melissa “overwhelmed.”

“It’s been amazing,” she said. “I can’t thank people enough.”

Melissa says every day, she feels a little better than the day before. She refuses to let the attack define who she is or what she will do in the future.

“Melissa is a fighter,” Kevin said. “She is pushing hard every day to get better. I am so proud of her.”

Melissa was unable to drive her new vehicle home Friday since she has yet to be cleared by her doctor. She is facing serious rehab for her arm, which was broken in the attack and required surgery. She is expected to wear a sling for another four weeks, and won’t be cleared to drive until the sling is retired. Friday, Melissa cast the sling aside when photos were being taken with donors and family outside Macdonald Motors. She didn’t want the sling to be part of such a happy moment.

Bill Macdonald understands how Melissa and Kevin feel in terms of appreciating a community coming to their aid following a horrific situation.

“This wasn’t a Macdonald Motors thing. This was a community effort. This was community people who started the effort, and based on what happened to my aunt and uncle a few years ago, we felt this was a great way to pay it forward. What could we do to help them out? That’s how we got involved,” he said. “You never think that a town like Bridgton that something like that could happen. What happened to Melissa, right on Route 302, the main artery going through town, was traumatic. She is courageous. She is setting the example for people not let something like this define her, and she plans to move on with her life and look at all of the positives — how the community came together to help — that have come from of this.”