5K European-style XC race set Saturday

ORONO – The Maine chapter of Children’s International Summer Village has planned two fall fund-raising events to benefit its scholarship fund.

The first annual CISV Benefit European-Style Cross Country 5K race will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the cross country course across from the Doris Twichell Allen Center at the University of Maine in Orono.

The European course will include a water hazard and haybale barriers, and will offer a variety of race categories for individuals and teams, including children and adults.

The race was conceived primarily as a fund-raising event, but it will also serve another purpose, said Gene Staffiere, the fund-raising committee’s chairman.

“The idea is to raise money,” he said, “but this will also be a great opportunity to introduce kids to the CISV program.”

With that in mind, he said, the race committee has made a point of inviting teams and individuals from junior high schools in the area.

Registration fees are $5 for individuals and $25 per team. Registration will be from 8:30-9:30 a.m. race day at the Doris Twitchell Allen Center.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, CISV will offer an “all you can eat” spaghetti supper at the Joseph A. Leonard Middle School on Oak Street in Old Town. The first sitting will be at 5 p.m., the second sitting at 6 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens. Children under age 5 will be admitted free.

CISV is an international organization founded in 1951 by Old Town native Doris Allen to promote peace education and cross-cultural friendship.

Each year the organization provides opportunities through a variety of international programs for young people ages 11-18 to travel, meet and live with other people from around the world. The scholarship fund provides financial assistance to the local participants in those programs.

For more information about and applications for CISV programs, please call 866-4643 or 827-7014.