Only a few days remain for you to be included among the generous individuals who help adults served by Community Health and Counseling Services in northern and eastern Maine have a happier holiday.

Ann Wiersma of CHCS has written to say that “CHCS serves a number of adults for whom Christmas may be very bleak.”

“Many of our residents in the adult group homes, and those living in supported living situations in the community, have no one who will be buying gifts for them for the holidays.”

She wants you to know these individuals “have very limited financial resources,” and the only gifts they receive are those donated by members of our community.

“Their wants and needs are really simple,” she added, suggesting that gifts of warm hats, mittens, scarves and socks would be greatly appreciated.

Or you can help provide them with personal care items, extra-large sweat shirts or shirts, towels, games or playing cards.

And while all donations of gifts are greatly appreciated, Wiersma understands everyone might not be able to help in this manner, so she has another suggestion that will make you feel a bit like Santa.

“If you can’t buy a gift this year,” she suggests, “think about taking your cans and bottles to Big Red Redemption Center on Barker Street, and ask that the redemption money be put in CHCS’ Christmas Fund.”

Wiersma explained that the money “will be used to buy gifts for needy clients and, by using Big Red, you are helping to provide work for some CHCS clients.”

If you can help make the holidays happier for people who receive services from CHCS, call Wiersma at 947-0366, Ext. 546, or toll-free at (800) 924-0366.

Finally, Wiersma asks that, if possible, all offers of gifts be made by Monday, Dec. 17, “so there is time to distribute the gifts.”

Corinne Van Peursem of Bangor, a volunteer with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program, has a special message for readers as she encourages you to be part of the Celebrity Baggers program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at Ames Department Store in the Airport Mall on Union Street in Bangor.

Individuals making a $1 donation to Celebrity Baggers will have their names entered in a drawing for a dinner at J.B. Parker’s Restaurant on Center Street in Bangor.

With the events and consequences of Sept. 11 in mind, Van Peursem wrote, “Last month, I had the pleasure of attending a kickoff event for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves 55th Toys for Tots Campaign.

“The Marines I met were on a 24/7 alert, knowing that, at any moment, they could be called to defend those very children to whom they hope to collect and distribute toys this year.

“Those young men want to be called to duty,” she emphasized. “For them, it’s an honor to defend our nation. Because of their commitment to defend and protect, I feel it is my duty, on their behalf, to carry out the hope that every needy child has a toy under his or her tree this holiday season.”

In advance, Van Peursem thanks you for helping needy children and teens, and reminds you that toys and gifts for children and young people of all ages can be left at Toys R Us, KB Toys, Studio 2000, Oriental Jade, Boyd & Noyes and Best Buy in Bangor, and at Marden’s and Omega Tech in Brewer.

For readers elsewhere who want to support the Toys for Tots (and teens) program, Van Peursem reminds you that “dollar pledge trains can be purchased at all Ames stores statewide.”

Today the University of Maine welcomes home one of its own, to shower him with all the love and honor he so richly deserves.

Wes Jordan is truly a Maine institution, and it is absolutely fitting that a state-of-the-art training facility and laboratory, named for him, will be built on the Orono campus.

The public is invited to join the university in honoring Jordan from 2 to 4 p.m. today at Lengyel Hall, site of the planned Wes Jordan Athletic Training Education Complex, on the university campus.

Wes was a UMaine student with many of us and, later, the man members of the press often sought out for answers when athletes were injured and unable to play.

As the longtime University of Maine trainer, his door was always open and he was always as upfront as he could be which, I know, all members of the sports media appreciated.

But Wes’ love of his profession was not limited to the university and its athletes.

He worked equally well with Olympic greats and local athletes; he was always on call when he was needed.

He is so highly respected by his peers that he is a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the Maine Sports Hall and the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame.

I have always admired Wes’ love for, and devotion to, home, family, university, career and friends.

Today is our opportunity to tell Wes how much he has meant to us; how much we care for him; and that our prayers are with him as he faces the prospects of a much-too-shortened life after a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

It’s simple, Wes.

We love you.

We thank you for choosing to share your life with us.

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