UNE students hang lights to provide holiday cheer in downtown Biddeford

The holiday season brings twinkling lights and wreaths to Main Street in downtown Biddeford. But this year, as you drive through downtown Biddeford, look up — something’s different. 

Illuminated globes now float high above the sidewalks like oversized ornaments among tree branches, casting light onto the street below. The new additions arrived thanks to University of New England students who joined the Heart of Biddeford nonprofit’s annual light brigade on Nov. 16, continuing a partnership that has brightened downtown every holiday season since 2017.  

Armed with ladders and a fresh vision for this year's display, student volunteers spent the day hoisting and stringing the glowing orbs onto trees along Main Street and into Biddeford's growing holiday tradition. 

“Downtown is the heart of Biddeford. We help it to feel like a happy place, approachable, friendly, and warm. This helps. There is no way we could do this without the students' help,” said Delilah Poupore, the executive director of Heart of Biddeford, which works to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and sustainable community for the people of Biddeford and its visitors. 

The annual UNE effort is spearheaded by the sophomore class and assisted by the Division of Student Affairs and Tony Montalbano, UNE’s director of Student Resolution. The Heart of Biddeford opens its office to the UNE volunteers in the golden-dome-topped brick building where Biddeford City Hall is housed. This year, 28 students from across academic disciplines turned out to help. 

Brook Rainville (Social Work), the sophomore class president, said every UNE student who signed up showed up. 

“It's just kind of in my blood to help out and give back,” Rainville said. “It’s really awesome to get out here with my friends and be able to do it and help the city of Biddeford.” 

Poupore said the volunteer effort is a great way for the students to get to know their community. Maybe they don’t know that there’s a florist shop downtown, Poupore said, but after hanging lights along Main Street, students may discover a local merchant who can help them send birthday wishes. 

That idea resonated with Ethan Case, a sophomore (Medical Biology) who lives off campus near Main Street. Case said he was excited to volunteer around the corner from his apartment to help make Biddeford better for his neighbors. In the end, the effort introduced him to fellow students who he got to know who helped made his weekend better.  

“I’m not living on campus, so I don’t meet a lot of people outside of my classes," Case said. "This was a nice way to meet new people.” 

Read more in the Portland Press Herald, The Biddeford Gazette, and the Biddeford Buzz.