Hampden youth group helps make holidays merrier

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Catholic Charities Maine St. Michael’s Center in Bangor received early Christmas gifts in the form of visits and personal items from members of the Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church Senior Youth Group.

The young people, working with advisers Bob and Laura Osborne, collected items that St. Michael’s uses for young people in its attendant care program.

St. Michael’s juvenile intensive supervision service coordinator Sue Currie explained that part of the work of St. Michael’s occurs when “kids involved in the Department of Corrections” are sent to the center “for up to 72 hours; for a cool-down time or a break.”

Many times, she said, “when those kids come to us, they have just been picked up. “Maybe they’ve just been bounced out of their home, so they come in with nothing – no toiletries, no clean clothes – nothing.”

To provide basic necessities for these young people, St. Michael’s calls on churches, community members and organizations for help.

In this instance, however, the call came the other way.

Laura Osborne explained that she serves on the Outreach Committee at her church, and it had “received word that St. Michael’s needed towels, washcloths and small toiletries” for its 72-hour program.”

“I brought this up at our meeting with the young people, and they decided to work on it as a project.”

That was when St. Michael’s received a call asking what it needed for the program.

Once they knew what was needed, the church youth group members made a list of the items and placed them in a basket, which they gave to members of the congregation, Osborne said.

“People picked up the items and brought those back to the church,” she said. The youth group then put together 31 packets, with such items as hand towels, washcloths, small bottles of shampoo and toothpaste, and delivered them to St. Michael’s.

There, the staff spoke with them about the facility, the program, and how it works, Osborne said. The youth group was also given a tour of St. Michael’s.

“It was a real positive experience for the youth group, and good for St. Michael’s that we could help them out, especially since St. Michael’s deals with kids who get in trouble,” Osborne said.

“It’s a good program to have available.”

For her part, Currie was very grateful for the efforts of the young people of Hampden Highlands United Methodist Church, and wants to express her public thanks for their efforts. “We recognize that a lot of times kids get negative publicity,” she said in praise of the work of the youth group members.

And, as a reminder to our readers, donations for this program are always welcome, Currie said.

“We buy what our budget allows, so donations we get really do help.”

Currie also told us that after the first of the year, the program will be moved to a new location, where it will have the capacity to serve more young people ranging in age from 10 to 18.

She also wants our readers to know “how many lives they will touch” by making a contribution to St. Michael’s to assist a youngster in trouble. For more information about St. Michael’s Center, call 941-2855.

Dick Hammond of Oakland called Tuesday morning to report that he just completed the Toys for Tots & Teens campaign in his area, and he is on the road again.

The director of the National Disaster Relief Fund said that he is leaving today for Tuscaloosa, Ala., “with my truck filled with blankets and things that are needed, like cleaning supplies.” Hammond is making emergency relief trip No. 327 to aid victims of tornadoes that struck there this past weekend, when fierce weather affected much of the nation.

“It looks like I won’t be spending Christmas at home again this year,” he said, “and, as usual, anything anyone can do to help with food and fuel would really be appreciated.

Individuals wishing to assist those left homeless in wake of the recent storms in the south can send a contribution to National Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 19, Oakland 04963.

The public is invited to start the new millennium with a family celebration and masquerade ball from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Bangor Public Library.

Library staff promises something for everyone to help welcome in 2001 which, they point out for purists, is the beginning of the new millennium. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes. In addition, people may dance, listen to the music of The Jazzman, and listen to hits from the past, courtesy of Mid-Maine Entertainment.

Board games from chess to Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit are available, and a craft section will be set aside for youngsters to make mementos of the occasion.

You will also be able to view “The Wonderful Sky,” presented by Northern Stars Planetarium in an inflatable dome theater. Viewing space for this special treat, there is limited, so if you want to attend, pick up your free tickets at the library before Saturday, Dec. 30. For more information, call the Bangor Public Library at 947-8336.

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

990-8288.