Meals for Me launches Dollar a Decade fund-raiser

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With the 30th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Eastern Agency on Aging’s Meals for Me program, staff members have come up with what they describe as “fun and easy fund-raiser.”

As the program grows so do its needs, which is evidenced by the fact Meals for Me now serves 200,000 meals annually to individuals age 60 and older either in their homes or at Meals for Me sites throughout Penobscot, Piscataquis, Hancock and Washington counties.

In discussing the anniversary year, the program growth and the supplies needed to continue that work, EAA nutrition director Gail Ward said director of communications Carol Higgins suggested EAA try something different.

“Remember when your grandmother gave you a dollar for each year on your birthday?” Ward asked.

“Well, Carol suggested we ask people to give $3 a decade” and thus, the Dollar a Decade fund-raiser was born.

“Carol thought if 10,000 people each give $3, we could raise $30,000,” Ward said. “And that would go a long way toward helping us purchase new equipment to continue to serve this growing program.”

Ward said equipment needs to be replaced at many of the meal sites, and that the continued expansion of the home delivery program means buying items as simple as picnic coolers.

“You’d be surprised how much it costs just to buy new picnic coolers,” Ward added.

But needs also include major items such as freezers that need to be replaced, she added.

The $3 represents little more than the purchase price of a cup of coffee and a doughnut, EAA points out in hopes that you will think about adding your $3, or more, to the Dollar a Decade campaign.

If you can help, send a check made out to Meals for Me Birthday, and mail it to Meals for Me, 450 Essex St., Bangor 04401.

Everyone agrees: Your $3 will make a difference!

The ever-popular St. John’s Episcopal Church annual Lobster Luncheon & Spring Fair offers you two ways to eat your delicious lobster and fresh strawberry shortcake: at the event or at home.

The event begins with the Spring Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the lobster luncheon is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 225 French St., Bangor.

The cost is $12 per person.

Those who want to take their luncheon home must make reservations by today by calling Pat Totman at 862-3257, or church administrator Corky Smith at the church office, 947-0156.

And here’s a bit of friendly advice: Since this is such a popular event, be sure to get there in plenty of time so you will be able to find a seat!

Events of Sept. 11, 2001, turned the United Way of Eastern Maine’s annual fund-raising campaign kickoff on Sept. 13 in Bangor into a “response rally.” More than 2,000 people turned out to show their support not only for this organization and its work in area communities, but their support for all Americans, especially those affected by the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.

Nancy Roberts of UWEM reports the organization hopes to continue in that vein with this year’s kickoff and get “all sectors of our community” involved in this event by mobilizing volunteers in the five counties UWEM serves.

Among the ideas being considered are to repair homes for low-income families and seniors and to collect school supplies, clothes and shoes for needy children.

The first planning meeting for this event is 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, in Rangeley Hall on Sylvan Road in Bangor.

Individuals who have ideas about a need in the community or how they might be able to help with this effort are invited to attend.

If you can’t attend but wish to be involved, call David Wilson at UWEM, 941-2800, or email davidw@unitedwayem.org.

This year, the Aroostook Visual Arts Coalition is sponsoring Caribou’s Summer Fine Art Fair in mid-July.

Part of Caribou’s Agri-Culture SummerFest, the Fine Art Fair takes place Saturday, July 13, and Sunday, July 14, at Collins Pond Park in Caribou.

AVAC co-founder Sandra Huck is the Fine Art Fair coordinator, and she envisions this event as a venue for northern Maine artists to showcase their work.

Although exhibit space may be limited in the future, it is not now, and artists from anywhere are welcome to submit art for the fair.

Huck reports that you do not have to be a member of AVAC to participate in this year’s Fine Art Fair, and entries can be of any medium for visual art in two or three dimensions.

The main goal of the art fair organizers is for people to see the high quality of work area artists are producing.

For information about the Caribou Fine Art Fair or to request submission forms, write Sandra Huck, P.O. Box 948, Caribou 04736, or email Sandra.Huck@Maine.edu.

Several tables are available for crafters and artists who want to participate in the Craft and Art Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 29, in the East Machias Municipal Building.

The fair, sponsored by Lifespring Chapel Church of God of East Machias, is held in conjunction with East Machias River Days.

For information or an application, call Diane Watermolen at 733-2923 or write her at the church, P.O. Box 150, East Machias 04630.

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