The council approved Town Manager Matthew Sturgis' nomination of the Cape Elizabeth Fire-Rescue Water Extraction Team to receive the 2024 Spirit of America Award.  

Early in the morning on January 13, 2024, the WETeam responded to a call for a 50-foot fishing vessel, Tara Lynn II, which ran aground during a strong storm hitting the Maine coast.  Four people aboard the vessel were not injured and were rescued by skiff by the WETeam, bringing them to safety two at a time.

The incident was reported on AP News and local news sources.

The Spirit of America Award was created by the Spirit of America Foundation to encourage volunteerism in communities.  The recognition program provides an award for volunteers.  An individual, group or organization may be recognized.  Past Cape Elizabeth Nominations include:

2023 Kenneth "Scott" Berry

2022 James H. "Jim" Huebener

2021 Community Ice Rink Organizers (Sam and Maureen Sezak, Chris and Melissa Hooper, Jay and Kate Brandeis)

2019 Pond Cove Parents Association Playground Committee