Between now and Friday, April 20, Beth Graves Rich of Ellsworth must raise $1,900. She would appreciate your help.

Rich needs the money to qualify as a participant in the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day, a 60-mile walk May 18-20 from Leominster, Mass., to Boston.

Rich plans to join more than 2,500 other people to raise money to help fight breast cancer and other diseases affecting women.

Proceeds from the event support nonprofit breast health programs throughout the country, and help provide funds for medical research through donations from the nonprofit Avon Products Foundation.

Rich, a 39-year-old working mother of two, is walking in honor of her mother and others with the disease.

“My mother recently struggled with breast cancer,” Rich said. “It made such an impact on her life and on my life, and everyone around her, that I wanted to do something. If my spending three days walking helps just one person, it’s worth it.”

Rich learned about the fund-raiser from a friend who participated in the past.

“I’ve been doing all kinds of things” to get in shape for the walk, she said.

She walks in the morning and during her lunch hour, “and I do a lot of biking and other cross-training,” she added.

Rich averages about eight to 10 miles a day, but takes longer walks on weekends in preparation for the event, in which she will walk 20 miles each day.

“I have lots of support,” she said. “My children even walk with me.”

The walkers, who stay in tents along the way, are allowed only one duffel bag weighing up to 35 pounds.

“They supply the meals and everything else we need,” Rich said of the sponsors.

But, to participate, Rich needs to raise that $1,900.

You can help by calling her and asking for a pledge form.

You must fill out the form, which contains her entry number, so she will be credited with your donation.

Contributions can be made in a variety of categories, ranging from any amount you are able to give, to Honorary Walker for a $1,000 contribution.

As the 1980 Mount Desert Island High School graduate said, “Every little bit helps.”

To obtain a pledge form, and help Beth Rich in the fight against breast cancer, call her at 667-0094.

To introduce members of the public to the work of Altrusa International of Bangor, members of the local service club will be available to talk with you during regular mall hours Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31, at the Bangor Mall Community Booth.

Altrusan Peggy Youngblood of Brewer reports members not only will provide you with information about local Altrusa activities -ranging from community literacy projects to scholarships to volunteer work for other nonprofit organizations – but you also can participate in a quilt raffle.

“We also have 23 other raffle items,” Youngblood said of the event that serves as a fund-raiser as well as a publicity opportunity for the club.

Altrusa is an international network of career women dedicated to improving their communities through personal service.

For more information about Altrusa, be sure to visit the Bangor Mall Community Booth this weekend.

Penobscot County residents whose children attend a Certified Family Child Care Provider’s home and are income eligible, qualify for a program provided by Catholic Charities Maine that reduces the amount of money they have to pay for that child care.

Todd Winship, CCM area manager, reports the organization recently has received funding to expand this 25-year-old service to Penobscot County.

Residents of the following towns are eligible for the program: Alton, Bradford, Burlington, Carmel, Charleston, Clifton, Corinna, Corinth, Dixmont, Eddington, Edinburgh, Enfield, Etna, Exeter, Garland, Glenburn, Greenfield, Hermon, Holden, Hudson, Kenduskeag, LaGrange, Levant, Lowell, Mayfield, Milford, Newburgh, Newport, Orrington, Plymouth, Stetson and Veazie.

Openings are available, and you can call (800) 660-5231 with questions about the application, or about this program.

CCM also is asking for contributions to The Toy Box.

This program was initiated by CCM in 1997 after a house fire in which a family lost all of its possessions.

Recognizing the comfort a toy such as a stuffed animal could provide a child during a crisis, CCM began The Toy Box to respond to emergency situations.

This program would welcome support from groups willing to conduct a toy drive to help fill The Toy Box.

The group is asked to organize the drive, collect the toys and arrange to drop them off at one of the area CCM locations, or have CCM representatives pick up the donations.

Used and new toys, children’s books, children’s furniture, outdoor play equipment, games, puzzles and even monetary donations are greatly appreciated.

All donations are tax-deductible.

Call the number above for information on how you or your organization can help fill The Toy Box.

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