Cynthia Lamberton of Harpswell, chairwoman of the Iris Network’s board of directors, was named recently Outstanding Individual Philanthropist of Maine by the Northern New England Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Lamberton’s partnership with people who are visually impaired and blind began 25 years ago with her work for Guiding Eyes for the Blind. She and her family raised 18 puppies from seven weeks to their in-for-training date.

She also harbored two broods of guide dogs for the breeding center and whelped and raised 42 pups from birth to seven-week placement. She was an area coordinator and assistant coordinator for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and during her tenure the number of puppies raised for the program went from 12 to 35.

Robert Caldwell, president of the AFP-NNE, said that the committee looked at a “robust group of nominations of many worthy philanthropists.” However, he said, “I believe what set Cynthia apart from all the others was that she doesn’t just give of her time to support the Iris Network, but she lives it at a level that those who use guide dogs every day can appreciate. It is the true spirit of philanthropy.”

Lamberton has been a major financial contributor of the Iris Network for several years. She has also given to a variety of local, national and international philanthropies. She has served as chairwoman of the Iris Network’s board of directors and has volunteered as a hotline advocate for Sexual Assault Support Services of Mid-Coast Maine for four years.

The Iris Network is a statewide resource for people who are visually impaired or blind to attain their determined level of independence and integration into the community.

Headquartered in Portland, it has outreach offices in Bangor, Brewer, Ellsworth, Houlton, Lewiston and Saco.