Poster child works to complete miracle mile

loading...

Sitting in his wheelchair in front of the Champion International paper mill in Bucksport recently, sixth-grader Larry Smith raised $800 for the Children’s Miracle Network Miracle Mile of Quarters which takes shape Friday and Saturday on the floor of the Bangor Mall.

Larry, the poster child for CMN of Eastern Maine Healthcare, helped lay the start of the mile Thursday. Today, he and his classmates will be at the mall hosting games and other activities to encourage people to make contributions to help raise $15,840, or a mile of 63,360 quarters.

The Bucksport youngster is working with Jane Searles of Bangor Noon Kiwanis, the sponsoring organization for this project.

Searles said, “We will be selling things there today and tomorrow, so people can purchase them and put their quarters down. We’ll be taking donations both days as well. The money is all for CMN,” she pointed out. “We’ll stop Saturday at 4 p.m., and the money will be counted and given to CMN.”

Volunteers from the CMN steering committee and Kiwanis will be working the crowd at the mall to collect more quarters.

“Dairy Queen has donated Frisbees that will be sold,” Searles said, “and those quarters will go right onto the mile.”

Not only have Larry’s classmates helped count quarters, so have high school members of local Key Clubs, which are sponsored by Kiwanis.

Representatives of the Maine Army National Guard are keeping watch over the miracle mile of quarters.

But what is most important to those involved with the project is that all the money collected here stays here to help children in central and eastern Maine who need medical services.

So, if you’re at the Bangor Mall today or tomorrow, dig into your pockets and purses. Give what you can. Every quarter helps.

In a February column, we wrote about the Penobscot Paddle and Chowder Society’s Giveaway, which is the organization’s way of celebrating its 30th anniversary.

The local group of canoe and kayak enthusiasts decided to celebrate three decades together by aiding nonprofit youth groups with paddling-related needs.

Society member Bill Stearns of Milford reports two organizations were chosen to receive $500 each from among 11 youth groups that applied for the grants.

One grant went to the Penobscot Riverkeepers, which runs an annual expedition on the Penobscot but also works with students in grades K-12 in the classroom, beside the river and on the river.

The other grant went to Camp Capella, sponsored by United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine. Camp Capella will use the money for grip mitts to help those with decreased paddling strength, and canoe adaptations to provide better support for paddlers with balance problems.

Here’s something to think about.

Stearns passed along the information that “some applicants implied that their greatest need is for adult volunteers, with canoes, to host youths who would be accompanied by staff members, for a summer afternoon or day trip on a nearby pond.”

Any individuals or groups who would be willing to help meet this need can call PPCS at 827-3609, e-mail Stearns at STEARNS@MAINE.MAINE.EDU or write him at 1608 County Rd., Milford 04461.

Kathleen Oliver of Old Town has asked us to inform you that members of the Old Town High School Class of 1968, who are celebrating their 30th reunion at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Black Bear Inn and Conference Center in Orono, are inviting members of the Classes of 1967 and 1969 to join them.

What a great idea. Not only will you get to see former classmates, but former schoolmates, team members, band members — all the kids you used to hang out with when you were in high school.

The social evening includes hors d’oeuvres and music at $20 per person.

If you would like to make a reservation, make your check payable to Old Town High School Class of 1968 and mail it to Cheryl Shirland Treadwell, P.O. Box 301, Milford 04461.

Today we salute our local child care providers as they celebrate National Child Care Providers Appreciation Day.

It is interesting to note news of this special day arrived on our desk the same day we received a letter from the Police Executive Research Forum which has announced its conclusions “that quality educational child care and after-school programs can dramatically reduce crime and save taxpayer dollars.”

The announcement was made during the group’s annual meeting recently in San Antonio, Texas. PERF is a national nonprofit organization whose members serve 40 percent of America’s population.

A PERF resolution calls on political leaders to increase funding for quality early childhood education and after-school programs; for increased law enforcement resources; and for the flexibility to use funds to support anti-crime investments in children and youth.

PERF reports that recent research “clearly shows that quality educational child care, parenting, coaching and after-school programs” help children learn right from wrong, and learn the skills and values needed to become good neighbors rather than criminals.

The Maine Audubon Society is in need of volunteers to be tour guides for its “Wetlands and Watersheds” spring school walks program.

Volunteers lead a small group of children on a trail at the Fields Pond Nature Center in Holden, teaching children how wetlands store water and prevent floods, the differences between a marsh and swamp, and about wetland birds and animals.

Extensive knowledge is not as necessary as love of the outdoors and the desire to share it with children. The tour season is mid-May through mid-June, and each tour lasts 1 1/2 hours.

Two-hour orientations will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the center on Fields Pond Road. If you have questions, call Judy Markowsky or Jane Rosinki at 989-2591.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.