With all American Red Cross chapters feeling the same financial pinch – an understandable decrease in donations since the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 – the American Red Cross of Eastern Maine especially needs to meet its $40,000 goal during the sixth annual Celebrity Waiter “Fun Raising” Auction and Dinner.

That event begins with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by the auction at 6:30 and dinner at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at Ginley Hall in Northport.

The cost of the event is $35 per person but, you are forewarned, that price covers the cost of the food only.

You must obtain your silverware, water, napkins, or condiments by tipping your waiter, or negotiating to obtain them through your offers of song, dance or whatever you can do.

So while your $35 gets you into the event and provides you with food, it probably will cost at least another $10 to get the rest of what you need to enjoy it!

Any way you look at it, however, it’s a bargain for such a fun evening.

“Last year we made $29,000,” American Red Cross of Eastern Maine development director Michael Holmes told me during a recent office visit.

The $40,000 goal appears very ambitious in a year when donations locally are down, but Holmes emphasized, “This is the major fund-raiser for our area, and this money does stay locally.”

And while contributions to the local ARC chapters have decreased, contributions to the American Red Cross 9-11 fund have been tremendous, Holmes said.

“Our chapter sent contributions of $298,000 to the 9-11 fund,” Holmes said, “so it is really necessary to remind our donors that contributions still need to be made to local chapters.”

By the way, it wasn’t only money this chapter sent to assist after last year’s terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

“We sent 10 of our volunteers to ground zero who helped with social work, counseling and other volunteer activities,” Holmes said.

And this I found amazing: Holmes told me this American Red Cross chapter “trained more than 744 volunteers from September 11 to Christmas.”

The terrorist attacks prompted people to request the type of training the American Red Cross provides, he said, so the chapter offered extra classes in disaster preparedness, adult and child CPR, first aid, mass care, and health and safety services.

Many of the class members were newcomers, he said, while others were those renewing previous American Red Cross certificates.

Holmes and all associated with this event expect to have a wonderful time and hope for a full house.

Greg Powers Entertainment of Portland will provide the music, and lots of gracious community-spirited local “celebrities” have offered their services to help the American Red Cross of Eastern Maine meet its goal.

Included among the “wait staff” are Belfast Mayor Mike Hurley, WVII-7 news director Jan Smith, Chris Powers and Susan Patten of 104.7 “The Bear” and Susan Faloon of WVOM.

Also working hard to bring in the big tips will be Billy Charles, Country 99.1, Belfast Sheriff Scott Story, Deputy Sheriff John Ford and former television news anchor Donna Gormley, who is now communications director for the gubernatorial campaign of Rep. John Baldacci.

Holmes said the auction offers “lots of wonderful items,” and, of that, there is no doubt.

You have the opportunity to bid upon a signed Jamie Wyeth print of “Iris at Sea,” as well as artwork by Jerri Finch, Ronald Frontin, Debbie Beckwith, Harry Swanson, Barbara Applegate and Lyn Snow.

Among the local business contributions are overnight stays at hotels and bed and breakfasts, two round-trip tickets anywhere in the continental United States, and a round trip for two to Boston or aboard the ferry The Cat to Nova Scotia.

Through its offices in Ellsworth, Rockland and Belfast, the American Red Cross of Eastern Maine “takes care of things all up and down along the coast,” Holmes said of the service area that stretches from Waldoboro to Gouldsboro.

“We’ve been busy this year, with a lot of fires,” Holmes said of recent local disasters this chapter has had to respond to. “We had four fires in the past month in the Waldo area alone. And we are mandated, by Congress, to attend each fire. It is part of the American Red Cross charter. If people need help, we provide everything from food to shelter, clothing and even eyeglasses.”

He also emphasized that such purchases are made “through local vendors,” which means money the American Red Cross of Eastern Maine spends to help others also helps local businesses.

Holmes admitted that “fund raising has not been easy since the events of 9-11,” which is why it is so essential that a local fund-raiser such as this meet its goal.

If you want more information about this fund-raiser or about the work of this chapter, or, if you cannot attend but want to help support its work, call Homes at 338-0473.

From Becky Quirk comes word that Quirk Chevrolet will hold its first Bassmaster CastingKids Program beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 6, at Quirk Chevrolet, 293 Hogan Road in Bangor.

Presented by Chevy Trucks and Citgo, the Bassmaster CastingKids program teaches children ages 7-14 the basics of fishing and environmental awareness, and is intended to introduce them to a recreational activity that they can enjoy throughout their lives.

During the program at Quirk Chevrolet, youngsters will have the opportunity to qualify for the 2003 Bassmaster CastingKids Program National Championships, which will be held in Louisiana.

There is no fee for this program, and youngsters register when they arrive.

Do not bring your own equipment, because rods and reels are provided, and children are not allowed to use their own equipment.

It is expected that a representative of the Maine Warden Service will be at the event to answer any questions you may have.

If you need more information about this program, call Becky Quirk at 941-1033.

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