Christmas in New York fund-raiser under way

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Working to purchase gifts for children of firefighters, police officers and other emergency personnel who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 11, are volunteers with the Christmas in New York fund-raiser.

Lisa Hardy reports the group has raised $800 to date, “which will buy toys for about 25 to 30 kids, but we have 560 to buy for,” she said of youngsters who lost family members in those attacks.

To continue helping to raise funds for this effort, volunteers will conduct a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, in the Bangor Mall near Sears.

The word is, get there early before the food runs out.

If you would like to make a donation to this cause but are unable to do so at the bake sale, you can make your contributions at Bangor Federal Credit Union on Hogan Road in Bangor and the Brewer Federal Credit Union, 77 North Main St. in Brewer.

An account has been established for the fund-raiser at those facilities, and all you need to do is to mention the campaign to make a contribution.

If you would like to donate presents, you can call retired Brewer firefighter Brian Goggins at 884-6066 and he will arrange for them to be picked up.

Representatives of local fire and police departments and emergency service personnel will deliver all the presents to members of New York City public service departments in time for Christmas.

Fund-raisers report that 100 percent of the contributions will be used to purchase the presents.

A cast of local favorites star in Acadia Community Theatre’s “Miracle on 34th Street” beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, Saturday, Dec. 8, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at The Neighborhood House in Northeast Harbor.

Irv Hodgkin appears as Kris Kringle, Jennifer Litteral as the mother and 7-year-old Paige Speight as her daughter, Susan, who thinks Santa might help make her dreams come true.

Also in the cast are Tara McKernan, Stephanie Clement, Laurel Robbins, Linda Kelley, Mary-Elizabeth Kelley, Bruce Connery, Erin Connery, Tim Pugliese, Rose Iuro-Damon, Frank Schwartz, Carol Schaeffer, Steve Schaeffer, Wendy Littlefield, Tony St. Denis and 20 young people ranging in age from 6 to 14.

The co-directors and co-producers are Maryann Van Dorn and Annie Schwartz.

Admission is $5 per person for the event, which is part of the Northeast Harbor Christmas Festival.

For information about this event, call Kathy Miller at 244-4014.

Members of the Mount Desert Island Hospital Auxiliary invite the public to attend the lighting of its Christmas tree at 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in front of the hospital, 10 Wayman Lane in Bar Harbor.

From Matt Hebert of Oakland comes word that the Black Bear Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America is working with the Joy of Sharing Toy Drive campaign now through Tuesday, Dec. 11, to collect toys for needy children throughout Maine.

Drop boxes for new, unwrapped toys, are located at several sites on the University of Maine campus in Orono – the Memorial Union, Fogler Library, the School of Engineering Technology office in Boardman Hall and the College of Engineering office in Barrows Hall.

The Black Bear Chapter donations will be combined for distribution with those of other chapters on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Joy of Sharing Foundation office in Portland.

The Black Bear Chapter of ACG is a student-run organization affiliated with the Associated General Contractors of America.

Last month, members of the Levant Fire Department held a benefit supper for volunteer firefighter Kenny Light, who recently underwent emergency back surgery and is unable to work.

Light wrote the Bangor Daily News to express his gratitude for that and the many other kindnesses that have come his way.

Light wrote “to thank all of my friends and family for all their kindness in helping me during this transition in my life.”

He thanks people for their “visits to the hospital, to help pass the time” and for building a wheelchair ramp “so that I would be able to come home.”

Light also wrote to express his thanks to members of the LFD for that benefit supper “to help pay my expenses,” and also to let you know he appreciates the “hello, how are you doing?” phone calls.

“Each and every act of kindness has meant more to me than you will ever know,” he wrote.

You will hear more from Corinne Van Peursem of Bangor, a volunteer with the Toys for Tots program, in a later column.

For now, she wants you to know that members of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will be at the University of Maine ice hockey home games with Boston College beginning at 7 p.m. both Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at Alfond Arena in Orono.

The Marines are participating in their 54th Toys for Tots campaign, and will collect toys and financial contributions at both games.

Don’t forget the lighting of St. Joseph Hospital’s annual holiday display beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, at the hospital entrance on Broadway in Bangor.

This year’s festive light exhibit includes an all-American tree with red, white and blue lights.

In addition to carols by the St. John’s Catholic Church Youth Choir and a visit by Santa Claus, refreshments will be available as well.

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