Make-A-Wish organization to introduce new event

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Although Monday’s snowstorm forced postponement of a planned informational meeting in Bangor to discuss a new fund-raiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Maine, representatives will meet with interested individuals at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at the Holiday Inn in Ellsworth.

Make-A-Wish executive director Tom Peaco said the organization will introduce “Walk for Wishes” later this year in Bangor and Ellsworth. He is seeking volunteers to help organize and participate in the event.

With an increased number of wishes from Penobscot and Hancock counties, Peaco said those who have had wishes granted by the organization have asked how they can help Make-A-Wish grant the wishes of other children with life-threatening illnesses.

Since the Maine chapter first organized in 1992, nearly 300 Maine children have had their greatest wishes fulfilled by this Camden-based organization. The average cost of granting one wish is $5,500.

“Since the beginning of our chapter, we’re granted 24 wishes in Penobscot County, and 16 of those wishes were granted since the first of January 1999,” Peaco said. “In Hancock County, we’ve done 12 wishes, and eight have been since January 1, 1999.”

Many more people now are aware of the foundation and what it does, he explained.

He attributes that to the fact “it’s a close-knit community of people with children with life-threatening illnesses.

“They run into each other at the hospital, and those who have had wishes granted are eager to share that with others. That encourages other people to call and make requests.”

One of the best aspects of this program is that all the money raised in Maine is used to grant the wishes of seriously ill Maine children.

The foundation hopes many people will want to get involved with this new fund-raiser, either as a participant or an organizer.

“We’re going to try this,” Peaco said. “Several Make-A-Wish chapters across the country have found success with this kind of thing. We’ve been looking for something easy for the public to get involved with, and a way for our wish families to participate as well.”

That is why everyone associated with this very special foundation for children hopes you will attend the upcoming informational meeting in Ellsworth.

If you are interested in attending this meeting or the one that will be rescheduled in Bangor at a later date, call Make-A-Wish in Camden at (800) 491-3171.

We remind folks in Washington County that Friday, Feb. 9, is the last day you can make reservations to attend the second Down East Hospice “Be Our Valentine Dinner and Art Auction.”

The event starts at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 17, in the main dining room on the University of Maine campus in Machias.

Admission is $20 per person and includes dinner and the opportunity to bid on several original works of art donated by area artists. UMM professor Arthur Hill will preside over the activities as official auctioneer.

DEH, with offices in Calais and Machias, provides free, nonmedical services for terminally ill people and their families throughout Washington County.

Organizers hope to raise $3,000 to help fund the work of the organization, which has seen a large increase in the number of individuals receiving its services since DEH was founded in 1981.

To purchase tickets, call DEH board president Linda Gralenski of Pembroke at 726-5837.

The Parent Educator Network, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, is offering a variety of parenting courses and workshops from now through spring.

Fees for the courses vary, so you should ask about that when you call for information.

For six Monday evenings beginning Feb. 12, Active Parenting will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Orono United Methodist Church under the direction of Robin Newcomb.

The course deals with children ages 2 to 12, and child care is available. Call Orono Adult Education at 866-4119.

A three-week session for parents of children age 1-4 called 1,2,3,4 Parents will be offered on three Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in mid-April by extension educator Louise Kirkland at the Penobscot County extension office, 307 Main Ave., Bangor.

Call the extension office at 942-7396 or (800) 287-1485 for information.

Active Parenting (ages 2-12) and Active Parenting of Teen-agers is ongoing until springtime with facilitator Brenda Davis at Old Town High School. Call Davis at 394-4655 for more information.

A workshop, How to Stop Enabling and Start Empowering Kids, will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 26, at the extension office in Bangor by Penobscot Indian Health Center parent educator Marie Mitchell. How to Build Self-Esteem, Courage and Positive Behavior will be offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Monday, April 9, at the same location, under the direction of Kirkland.

For more information on both workshops, call the extension office at 942-7396 or (800)-287-1485.

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