Skowhegan Man Turns Loss Into Hope with $10,000 Donation to Somerset Humane Society
A Skowhegan man is proving that even in the midst of grief, compassion can create something extraordinary.
On Sunday, July 12, Carl Ronco and his neighbor, Victoria Masia, will present a $10,000 donation to the Somerset Humane Society—the culmination of more than a year of fundraising inspired by the memory of Carl’s late wife, Roberta.
After Roberta passed away in November 2024, Carl was faced with the difficult task of sorting through a lifetime of belongings. Rather than letting those cherished items sit unused, he chose to donate many of them to be sold, with every dollar raised benefiting homeless animals.
Victoria joined the effort in January 2025, helping sell the donated items. As the project grew, she also began creating handmade crafts to sell at local craft fairs, adding the proceeds to the fundraising total. With the support of the community and months of hard work, the pair eventually reached their goal of $10,000.
But Carl’s generosity didn’t stop with the fundraising.
Throughout the past year, he has also donated bags of dog and cat food, treats, toys, blankets, and other much-needed supplies to the Somerset Humane Society, quietly supporting the organization’s mission of caring for animals in need.
For Carl and Victoria, the project has always been guided by a simple belief:
“No animal should be homeless.”
The donation is more than a financial gift—it’s a tribute to Roberta’s memory and a testament to the power of kindness, community, and giving back.
They also hope their story honors the memory of Quinn, Carl and Roberta’s beloved dog, whose companionship helped inspire their passion for helping homeless animals.
As Carl prepares to present the donation this weekend, he hopes the effort will encourage others to support their local animal shelters and remind people that even during life’s most difficult moments, it’s possible to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
The $10,000 donation was presented to the Somerset Humane Society on Sunday, July 12.
