The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers of Waterville recently launched a capital campaign, “Tomorrow’s Promise,” to repay two loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture totaling $1.5 million.

Those loans have enabled the facility to purchase and renovate the former Criminal Justice Academy on Silver Street in Waterville as its headquarters.

Soon, probably by the first of November, reports MCH executive director Donna Jo Mitchell, a “mass mailing will go out, statewide,” seeking donations for the campaign.

It is the intent of the nonprofit organization to raise that $1.5 million so it makes its move to the new, five-building campus with no loans to repay.

“At this point, we have a lot of interest in this campaign,” Mitchell said, and while she is not at liberty to reveal the details, she did say, “we have people who have pledged to make some very generous donations.”

Mitchell is pleased to be able to announce, however, that one of those “generous donations” has become an integral part of this capital campaign.

Waterville philanthropist Harold Alfond has offered a $500,000 challenge grant for “Tomorrow’s Promise,” to be used for the renovations and improvements of the new site.

As part of the capital campaign, contributions received on or before March 31, 2002, will be matched 2-for-1 by the Harold Alfond Foundation.

Alfond’s wife, Bibby Alfond, served 12 years as a member of the Maine Children’s Home board and has been an honorary board member since 1980.

Mitchell hopes the statewide mailing will be favorably received. So watch for it in your mail.

“The community effort for this campaign has been extremely uplifting,” Mitchell said. “We certainly appreciate everyone’s efforts regarding their support of this campaign, especially in light of the recent tragedies.

“As everyone knows, our problems are still here, and will continue to be, and we want to thank everyone for their continuing support.”

If you are not included in the mailing but would like to contribute or would like more information, call Mitchell at 876-0261 or write The Maine Children’s Home for Little Wanderers, 34 Gilman St., Waterville 04901, and campaign information will be sent to you.

The Telephone Pioneers, founded in 1911, boasts 84 chapters in the United States and Canada and has nearly 800,000 members.

Telephone Pioneers everywhere strive to serve the communities in which they live through projects ranging from education to providing meals at area soup kitchens.

The local chapter of Telephone Pioneers is sponsoring its annual craft fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at 645 Odlin Road in Bangor.

Admission is free.

The primary organizers of the fund-raiser are Janice Clark and Cindy Black. Black is a past president of the Maine Council of Telephone Pioneers.

Gaelyn Bunker reports that proceeds from this year’s fair will benefit Spruce Run, the domestic violence project that serves Penobscot County, and the Bangor Humane Society.

Anyone with questions about this event may call 945-9216.

The public is invited to attend the annual meeting of the Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library at 6:30 tonight at the library, 20 State St. in Ellsworth.

After a short business meeting, New Trad Trio will present a concert of Dixieland jazz and “golden oldies.”

Light refreshments, courtesy of Hancock County Technical College students, will be served after the concert.

The library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Manna Ministries, which operates a soup kitchen at 180 Center St. in Bangor, reminds you it needs turkeys to give to individuals as well as organizations that provide food for the hungry throughout our area during the holiday season.

Now in its 11th year providing holiday food for the needy, Manna needs 2,200 turkeys for this project.

Manna staff appreciates the fact that much of our attention has been, necessarily and appropriately, focused on the events surrounding the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

However, the staff reminds community members that demands for programs and services to assist the needy still exist right here at home.

Manna is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

You can deliver a frozen turkey to Manna, or send a cash donation to Manna Ministries, 180 Center St., Bangor 04401.

If you have questions, call Manna at 990-2870.

Michael Ludwig called to say that Bangor Boy Scout Troop 301 is collecting returnable cans and bottles for the benefit of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Individuals can drop off bottles now through Saturday, Oct. 27, at the Troop 301 collection trailer located at the former Broadway Furniture Store near McDonald’s on Broadway in Bangor.

To arrange pickup, you may call Ludwig at either 945-3109 or 942-6103.

Troop members also will be collecting door-to-door Saturday, Oct. 27, in Bangor.

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