Without your help, hundreds of people could be without Christmas gifts come Dec. 25.

“We have 400 signed up and only 120 adopted,” said Bill Rae, director of Manna Ministries of Bangor, said of Manna’s Christmas program applications.

That program, he explained, is different from others, “because we do the whole family. We target the working poor and people on fixed incomes,” which includes the elderly.

“Without the support of the community,” Rae said, “these people are not going to have Christmas gifts.”

For two weeks, families and individuals have come to Manna to sign up for a “need” for Christmas.

And those requests are just that: Basic needs, Rae said.

“We need work boots and warm pants; jackets and coats.”

Also on the list are large and extra-large sweat pants and shirts, gloves, hats, socks, jeans and snowsuits for children of all ages.

“We need all sizes, because we help the whole family,” Rae said.

Manna requests all donations be new items.

Community members are asked to adopt a family or an individual and purchase gifts for those people.

“We really need help,” Rae emphasized.

“We just can’t do it if the community doesn’t get behind us.”

Gifts or money can be delivered or mailed to Manna, 180 Center St., Bangor 04401.

Manna is open 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The telephone number is 990-2870.

Rae said Manna representatives would be in Filene’s Court during regular business hours, Friday, Dec. 13, through Monday, Dec. 16, at the Bangor Mall, to accept donations.

When I spoke with Bill Rae this week, there was, understandably, a great deal of concern in his voice.

He knows, with less than two weeks to go, time is running short to meet the needs of everyone who has turned to Manna for a Merry Christmas.

You and your family can enjoy a pancake “Breakfast with Santa,” from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden.

Sponsored by Dollars for Scholars of Hampden Academy, HA parent Cindy Greenacre reports admission is $2.50 per person, with a maximum charge of $10 per family.

You also can have photos of your children taken with Santa for $2 each, and purchase holiday goodies at a bake sale.

All proceeds benefit the Dollars for Scholars program, which awards scholarships at graduation.

Greenacre explained that students participating in Dollars for Scholars work to earn hours that translate into scholarship dollars by donating their time for fund-raisers such as this.

Calling all children in grades one through five!

The Bangor Museum and Center for History and the Maine Discovery Museum want you to help decorate windows of downtown stores for the holidays, using historic Bangor photos supplied by BMCH to create your work.

The Holiday Program begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at BMCH, 6 State St. in Bangor.

After the window-decorating activities, children will tour the new BMCH and enjoy a scavenger hunt through the exhibit, “Ruffians, Ruffles, Parasols and Patriots: The Story of Bangor’s History through Costume.”

Prizes and refreshments will be provided, and activities will end by 12:30 p.m.

Sponsored by the Unity Foundation, the event is free but limited to 25 children, so you must call the BMCH, 942-1900, to reserve a spot.

Curran Homestead Museum director Brian Higgins invites interested individuals to attend a Regional Historical Society and Museum Get-Together from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at the Curran Homestead on Fields Pond Road in Orrington.

A round-table discussion about fund raising for historical societies and museums, and discussion of the possibility of a regional museum store, where groups could display information about their facilities and events and sell their gift items, are on the agenda.

Attendees are asked to bring a holiday potluck dessert and an 1890s Christmas decoration for the Curran Homestead Christmas tree.

For more information about this meeting, call Higgins at 478-5021.

All March of Dimes volunteers are invited to attend the Maine State Chapter’s 2002 annual meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 21, at the Ramada Conference Center in Lewiston.

The cost of the dinner is $15 per person.

Volunteers can call the chapter office, (800) 668-5678, for more information, including the agenda and a registration form, which must be returned to the chapter office by Friday, Jan. 10.

Information also may be obtained by writing the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, 60 Gray Road, Unit 8, Falmouth 04105; calling 878-1199 or e-mailing PConley@marchofdimes.com.

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