The Emmaus Center in Ellsworth is still accepting applications from families in need, and from people willing to act as sponsors for them, to help make Christmas a much brighter one for those unable to make that happen on their own.

Cindy Booker-Bingler, co-director of the center, said people who need financial help with Christmas can still call and have their names placed on the list which, thus far, includes 70 families.

And, if you are fortunate enough to be able to help one of those families, you are urged to call and adopt a family this Christmas.

Booker-Bingler also hopes civic organizations, businesses and community groups, as well as individuals and families, will participate in this wonderful holiday project that connects needy neighbors with those who can help them.

Last year, the Emmaus Center assisted approximately 60 families by giving them gifts but, Booker-Bingler said, even more people will be helped by this new program.

Not only does Emmaus try to help the families who register for assistance, Booker-Bingler said, but it participates in the KISS 94.5 and Lucky 99 radio “Christmas is for Kids” program, which helps brighten the holidays for children age 13 and under.

Emmaus takes a list of 100 children’s names and finds gifts for remaining family members not covered by the “Christmas is for Kids” program, “so we have a lot of work to do,” Booker-Bingler said.

Volunteer sponsors are provided information about the needs of their assigned family, and offered some suggested program parameters.

The adopted family’s needs can range from basic clothing for all family members to toys for the children or food for the family.

“What we hope to do, as well, is provide the families with a Christmas dinner,” Booker-Bingler added.

To volunteer as a sponsor, call Booker-Bingler at 667-3962 or e-mail emmaus@downeast.net.

Booker-Bingler also reminds the public that “everyone is welcome” to attend a free buffet 2:30-4:30 p.m. Christmas Day, Tuesday, Dec. 25, at the center in downtown Ellsworth, where you will enjoy good food, music, fun and companionship in a decorative holiday atmosphere.

Bidding is open now through noon Friday, Dec. 21, for items in a silent auction sponsored by Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of the Bangor-Brewer YWCA and Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

The auction benefits Bridging Books, a project that provides helpful books and other resources for women who recently have been diagnosed with breast cancer. It receives funding from the Maine affiliate of the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

Among the items up for bid that would make marvelous holiday gifts are antiques, an original painting, sculpture and works by local artisans.

Also available are a hand-crocheted ecru-colored afghan in the pineapple pattern that is more than 50 years old, an antique doll cradle, and an original statue of a draped female figure by California artist Robert Myers.

Beginning today, you can view pictures of the auction items on the YWCA Web site, www.ywcabb.org, and pictures and descriptions of the items are also posted in the YWCA lobby at 17 Second St. in Bangor.

The actual items are available for viewing during business hours in the Caring Connections offices on the second floor of the Isaac Farrar Mansion on Union Street next to the YWCA.

You can place your bids by visiting the YWCA.

For more information, call Caring Connections at 941-2808 or e-mail whi@ywcabb.org.

If you would like to learn about the history of our favorite holiday plant, the poinsettia, you can do so by listening to Sonia Cianchette of Sprague’s Nursery at noon Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

Wednesday is Poinsettia Day, in honor of Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American diplomat who introduced this Central American plant to our country.

Cianchette also will have plants for sale and Sprague’s has donated a door prize. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served as well.

For more information, call the library at 947-8336.

Eastern Maine AIDS Network is again offering the opportunity for someone to win a fully lit, frosted Christmas tree with hand-blown Old World European ornaments.

This is the fourth annual “Tree of Hope” fund-raiser in which participants can win a tree decorated with more than 100 ornaments from designers such as Christopher Radko, MIA, Patricia Breen, Birgit and Christina’s World.

The tree, which is valued at more than $2,300, was donated to EMAN by The Fenix of Hallowell.

Many of the ornaments are retired, and the original molds have been destroyed which makes them highly collectible.

Raffle tickets are $2 each or three for $5. You can also buy a block of 50 tickets for $70.

The winning ticket will be drawn Friday, Dec. 21, just in time for Christmas.

All proceeds benefit the children and families served by EMAN throughout eastern and northern Maine.

Tickets are available at the EMAN office, 80 Exchange St. in Bangor, or by calling 990-3626.

A public flu clinic, administered by local health care workers, will be conducted at Shaw’s Supermarket 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 12, at its 353 Main St. location in Bangor.

The cost of the flu shots range from $15 to $25, depending on your health care coverage.

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