When crunch time comes and it’s down to the wire for a new, nonprofit facility to open to the public, it doesn’t matter whether you’re the executive director or the chairwoman of the fund-raising committee, you pitch in and help.

Sunday morning, for example, Maine Discovery Museum executive director Sean Faircloth and MDM fund-raising chairwoman Susan Carlisle were standing side-by-side, paintbrushes in hand, helping to get ready for opening day of the new children’s museum.

Overseeing all the activity that must be completed as soon as possible was MDM exhibit fabricator Joe Rizzo.

The museum is scheduled to officially open on Saturday, Feb. 10, in the Freese’s building on Bangor’s Main Street.

But even before that big day, the museum will host its first birthday party and membership previews on Sunday, Feb. 4, which is why everything must be ready to go by Saturday evening, Feb. 3.

To make sure everything is up and running and all shipshape, Rizzo, Carlisle and Faircloth have issued a public call for all the volunteer help they can get to make sure the MDM is completed and ready for its guests.

What Rizzo & Co. needs, quite frankly, are some very committed volunteers who are willing to work hard, get dirty if necessary, and stay late to get the job done. Volunteers are needed for just about any task imaginable from helping carry things to helping clean paint cans.

In truth, “it’s grunt work,” Faircloth said of the type of duties needed to complete this project.

“This started as a community volunteer effort, and that’s the way it is going to end,” he said. “If you’re ready to work hard, and if you care about this museum, come and help.”

Volunteers are needed day and night, now through Saturday.

You can call ahead, 262-7200, if you have questions; but everyone there is so busy, it’s preferable if you just show up, ready to work hard for as long as you can.

You may be asked to help lay a floor or, if you’re a skilled carpenter, painter or craftsperson, you may be asked to do more detailed work.

However, I do know that, no matter what your construction skills, you could even be asked to sweep the floor! So, be prepared to do anything!

When the museum folk say they need people to come in and work with them, they mean just that.

In fact, it’s so labor-intensive that no children are permitted on site during the completion effort; therefore, don’t bring the kiddies with you.

Anyone who loves the fact Bangor is finally going to have a special museum just for children, and anyone who wants to be able to say that he or she had a hand in making it all possible, should head for the Maine Children’s Museum, right now, and offer your assistance.

I know how generous Eastern Mainers are with their time and money when it comes to community projects, and I know there are many, many people who would be more than willing to give a few hours of hard work for such a worthy cause.

So, if you can help, please dress appropriately, and go to the Maine Discovery Museum, today through Saturday, to help get ready for its opening.

MDM staff and volunteers are keeping the midnight oil burning, trying to get the job done on their own. They sure could use a little help from their friends right about now.

Just think: You could, one day, pass a special section of the museum – maybe along the indoor river or in the giant head with a kaleidoscope eye – point with pride and say, “I worked on that.”

In just a few days, you’ll be able to visit the museum at your leisure.

Right now, however, you are asked to just come in and work.

While the horrific earthquake in India has the attention of the national media, many local people are focusing on efforts to help thousands of homeless and hundreds who are missing in the aftermath of a recent earthquake in El Salvador.

That 50-second earthquake measured 7.6 on the Richter scale and was followed by nearly 1,200 aftershocks, some measuring as high as 4 and 5 on the scale.

Bangor Sister Cities is asking area churches, schools, unions, community groups and the general public to help with the emergency relief effort.

Bangor Sister Cities is a project of PICA, Peace Through InterAmerican Community Action, which is based in Bangor and has a sister-city relationship with residents of Carasque, El Salvador.

Nearly 20 delegations from Bangor have visited El Salvador, including individuals such as Jesse Kates-Chinoy, who made two trips to that country.

Through PICA, she is asking people to come to the aid of residents of El Salvador, something she believes citizens of other countries would do for us if we were in a similar situation.

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to U.S. El Salvador Sister Cities in care of PICA, 170 Park St., Bangor 04401.

On the check memo line, you are asked to write Earthquake Relief.

For more information on PICA, or this relief effort, call 947-4203.

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