Contributions to the holiday food drive sponsored by employees of the city of Brewer have soared from 250 the first year to more than 6,000 nonperishable food items and $350 in cash last year. The food drive is entering its fourth year.

Organizer Drew Sachs, the city’s economic development director, told me the goal is to collect even more this year.

Recognizing that “we’re seeking to break a rather aggressive target,” he hopes that will be accomplished by “broadening the draw into the greater community.”

“We’re asking businesses to partner with us and seek collections,” Sachs said.

“The long and the short of it is, if we do that, we can do even more good things” for the needy this holiday season.

Nonperishable food items will be collected from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, through Friday, Dec. 20, outside Sachs’ office in Brewer City Hall, 80 North Main St.

Items also may be left at Brewer Auditorium, which, Sachs reminded those who would like to participate, is open on weekends.

Once again, this year, Sachs said, children in the city schools are participating in the collection drive that helps supply the Brewer Food Cupboard at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.

If it would be more convenient for you to take part by making a financial contribution, you can write a check to City of Brewer, with “Holiday Food Drive” on the memo line, and mail it to Brewer Food Drive, c/o Brewer City Hall, 80 No. Main St., Brewer 04412.

Vivian Gresser and members of the Hampden Historical Society invite you to a Christmas open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at the Kinsley House, 83 Main Road South in Hampden.

Members of HHS, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, have decorated the historic home for the holidays. They will be available to offer you a guided tour and light refreshments.

Camden Fire Department Chief Steve Gibbons and members of the CFD are sponsoring a holiday tree at the fire station where they will accept toys for needy area children.

The tree is located in the historic meeting room of the Payson Station, and everyone is invited to bring in an unwrapped toy and place it under the tree.

At the station you also will find a box for donations of canned goods that will be distributed to local food pantries.

The CFD suggests you “view the famous Shining Star atop Mount Battie and, in turn, become a Shining Star yourself.”

If you have questions about this holiday project, call the CFD at 236-7950.

The fact that the 11th annual Poinsettia Ball to benefit Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, which is tonight, has been sold out for a month, is really a case of good news, bad news, good news.

The good news is that it is sold out, which means more than $25,000 will be available to MCM to fund the purchase of new specialized hospital beds to provide for improved patient safety.

The bad news is, of course, that everyone who wanted tickets wasn’t able to get them!

But, then again, the good news is you have the opportunity to attend the 12th annual Poinsettia Ball, next year, if you just make a note in your calendar, for September 2003, to call MCM, 664-5337, after Labor Day and make a reservation!

The ball is sponsored by R.H. Foster and Machias Savings Bank, and more than 500 people are going to be having a wonderful time tonight, for a very worthy cause.

On behalf of Eastern Maine Charities, development officer Jill Reynolds invites you to honor or remember a loved one this holiday season by purchasing a light to decorate the “Lights of Hope” tree outside Cancer Care of Maine at Eastern Maine Medical Center on State Street in Bangor.

With the $500 star already having been purchased, you can purchase white lights for $10, red ones for $25, green lights for $50, blue ones for $100 or orange lights for $250.

The name of the individual being honored or remembered will be displayed at CCOM, and your gift will help purchase new technology for the detection and treatment of cancer.

The public tree-lighting ceremony is 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at CancerCare of Maine.

For more information about purchasing “Lights of Hope,” call EMC at 973-5055.

Bert Rossignol of Madawaska was honored recently by Guiding Eyes of the Blind, which has its headquarters in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

Rossignol’s continued support of the organization’s annual fund-raiser has made him a member of its $3,000 club.

Through Dec. 31, 2001, Rossignol had raised $3,128 for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and was commended for his outstanding effort on behalf of its New Leash on Life Walkathon.

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