Dover-Foxcroft pupils raising Pennies for Patients

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Anyone visiting Morton Avenue Elementary School in Dover-Foxcroft today might be surprised to see some pupils wearing slippers rather than sneakers, shoes or boots.

But there is an explanation, and it is a great one.

Any Morton Avenue pupil bringing in 25 cents or more for the school’s Pennies for Patients program gets to wear slippers in school today.

Pennies for Patients is a three-week joint effort by the Morton Avenue pupils in kindergarten through grade four and five high school student mentors from Foxcroft-Academy in Dover-Foxcroft to raise funds for the Leukemia Society of Massachusetts, which serves Maine as well.

Morton Avenue principal Lynne Coy-Ogan told us the fund-raiser came about as a result of a school leadership program, in which fourth-graders were asked to explain why leadership skills are needed to be a team leader.

Fourth-grader Ian Grover came up with a great idea.

Since much of the school’s fund-raising efforts, especially in the past four years, had been to help build a playground for the school, Coy-Ogan said, “Ian thought we should also be involved in generating something that would not only benefit our school, but benefit somebody else’s needs. He proposed, and initiated, this program.”

Five pupils from each class were paired with five Foxcroft Academy senior mentors: Sarah Bellemore, Jamie Champeon, Mike Doore, Jessica Smith and John Tabor.

They developed a 15-minute presentation for each class to explain what leukemia is, and why it would be a good idea to be involved in fund raising for the Leukemia Society.

The first week of the program, which began Monday, features a door-decorating contest.

“The Foxcroft Academy students will judge the contest, and the winning class will get a donation for their class collection,” Coy-Ogan explained.

The second week will bring a writing contest for which each grade level has “a writing prompt,” she said.

“For example, kindergartners will be asked what they would do with a magic penny. For the older kids, the writing prompt will be more elaborate.”

The final week, the class that collects the most money will be rewarded by an outrageous commitment made by that classroom teacher.

“They might dye their hair, dress up as a clown, or get a pie in the face,” Coy-Ogan said.

And each Wednesday of the three-week fund-raiser is a special theme day, which is why today is “Slippers Day.”

Should the pupils raise at least $300, the Leukemia Society has promised them a pizza party, Coy-Ogan said.

But whether they raise that amount of money or not, one of the best aspects of this program is that it has resulted in a mentor relationship between Morton Avenue pupils and Foxcroft Academy students.

“I was really impressed with how the kids have worked, collaboratively and diligently,” Coy-Ogan said.

“It’s been a neat opportunity for our fourth-grade kids to get to meet high school students.”

And, from another perspective, it’s a great way to foster the quality of helping others.

Members of the Bangor Area Children’s Choir are working toward the successful completion of their goal of raising nearly $35,000 so they can represent Maine in the Festival of States Celebration of the 225th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence next April in Washington, D.C.

To help them accomplish that objective, another fund-raiser is coming right up.

The BACC invites members of the public to attend a benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction, which features guest chef U.S. Rep. John Baldacci serving his famous “real Italian” spaghetti.

The fund-raiser begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at the Bangor Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road.

General admission is $6 per person, and advance tickets can be purchased at Miller Drug, 210 State St., Bangor.

In addition to the silent auction, the event also includes a 50-50 drawing.

If you would like information about this benefit, call Pat Bears at 942-7107.

On Wednesday, Jan. 17, “I carelessly left my purse in a shopping cart” at Kmart in Bangor, wrote Marilyn Blaisdell of Milford.

“I want to thank the kind lady who found it and took it into the store. She did not leave her name. I appreciate her honesty and integrity; characteristics not always seen these days. Thank you.”

Writing on behalf of the Maine Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Lynn Saucier invites members of the public who are visiting southern Maine to enjoy a prom fashion show beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Center Court of the Maine Mall in South Portland.

Featuring fashions from David’s Bridal, prom outfits will be modeled by high school students who, at the same time, will be spreading the message that alcohol and teens do not mix.

Guests will be eligible for a $15 coupon at David’s Bridal as well as chances to win prizes donated by local businesses.

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