Free health screening

BANGOR – As part of the annual Eastern Maine Healthcare Wellness Fair, scheduled for 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at the Bangor Mall, free public health screening will be available.

The Heart and Vascular Center of Maine will offer screening for high blood pressure, cholesterol and peripheral vascular disease. Counseling for those at risk for heart and vascular disease will be available.

Exhibits will include displays on safety, tours of a LifeFlight helicopter and a Capital ambulance, and interactive displays designed by students from six local schools as part of the AweSomeBODY project. The EMMC Bloodmobile will conduct a blood drive.

Fund-raising challenge

BANGOR – Meals for Me, a program of Eastern Agency on Aging, took the Feinstein Foundation’s Challenge of raising money to feed the hungry. The Meals for Me goal was set at $8,000. The amount raised was $10,030. A $200 donation from Sam’s Club helped to put the fund-raiser above the $10,000 mark.

The money will be used to buy much-needed equipment and continue the mission of feeding eastern Maine’s elderly.

For the sixth year in a row, Rhode Island philanthropist Alan Shawn Feinstein offered $1 million to nonprofit nutrition programs throughout the country that raised funds between March 1 and April 30. He will divide the $1 million among the agencies that participated.

The amount matched is generally a small percentage of the total money raised by the organizations, but the support of the community makes the challenge so successful.

“We couldn’t be happier at the outpouring of generosity and support shown to this program by the public,” said Gail Ward, director of nutrition at EAA. “We are very grateful and appreciative to everyone who came forward.”

Honor for OHI president

HERMON – On May 17, Bonnie-Jean Brooks, president and chief executive officer of OHI – formerly Opportunity Housing Incorporated – was recognized by Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences with Twiness Society Membership.

Members of the Twiness Society, which stands for Sargent Spirit, must prove themselves “worthy of this honor both from the standpoint of professionalism and behaviorism.” It is the highest honor at Boston University-Sargent College.

At the ceremony, Brooks was recognized for her strong record of giving to her profession and the community, personified in her lifelong work with people with disabilities.

OHI is a community service provider for people with developmental disabilities and-or mental illness.

In addition to leading OHI since its inception in 1979, Brooks has led or been a member of several national boards. She was recruited to work for and consult with President Clinton’s Committee on Mental Retardation from 1994 to 1999.

“I remember watching these amazing women be awarded with membership in the Twiness Society at grand ceremonies when I was in college,” recalled Brooks. “I am truly honored.” Brooks graduated from Sargent College in 1963.

Annual Heart Ball

BANGOR – The American Heart Association will host the fourth annual Heart Ball on Saturday, June 21, at Norumbega Hall. The theme of the evening is “A Midsommer Night’s Dreame.” This elegant gala, featuring exquisite dining, dancing, and exciting live and silent auctions, has become the premier event of its kind in Greater Bangor.

The local division of the American Heart Association will present its annual Gold Heart Award for distinguished community service, this year to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

This year’s goal is to raise $65,000 to support the Heart Association mission of saving lives from heart disease and stroke, the Nos. 1 and 3 killers of Maine citizens.

The American Heart Association recognizes this year’s lead sponsors: General Dynamics, J.D. Irving Ltd., Medtronic, and Northeast Cardiology Associates.

Other Heart Ball sponsors are Datascope Corp., Abbott Vascular Devices, Affiliated Healthcare Systems, AstraZeneca, Bangor Daily News, Bangor Savings Bank, Boston Scientific, Cardiovascular Surgery P.A., Cordis Cardiology, Fujisawa Healthcare Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Guidant Corporation, Maine Distributors, Merrill Bank, Pfizer, Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc., St. Joseph Hospital and Wyeth-Ayerst.

Tickets to the Heart Ball are $75, and table sponsorships are still available. For information, call the American Heart Association at (800) 937-0944.

Successful Relay for Life

OLD TOWN – The American Cancer Society raised more than $148,000 during the annual Relay For Life of Old Town.

Festivities kicked off at 6 p.m. Friday, May 16, with more than 125 cancer survivors walking the first lap of the relay, called the Survivors Lap.

After a brief opening ceremony, one member from each of the 82 teams began walking or running relay-style for the 24-hour period. After sundown, thousands of luminaria ornaments lined the track in honor or in memory of those affected by cancer.

Alternating with several members from their teams, participants walked on the track throughout the night.

On Saturday morning, campers joined in many activities that kept those on track in high spirits. Special awards were handed out, such as the Team Spirit award and top fund-raising team awards. All runners, weary but jovial, lined the track to walk the final lap together, and by 6 p.m. Saturday, the relay had come to a close.

“We appreciate all the support we received from each of the teams as well as our event sponsors and underwriters,” said Mike Hart. “We are especially grateful to the many volunteers and their families for all of their hard work to make this event happen.”

The Dysart Family team raised the most money, turning in more than $8,500 to support the American Cancer Society.

The society thanked the Relay For Life sponsors and underwriters whose support helped to make the relay successful: Dead River, Adelphia, Georgia-Pacific, Interface Fabrics Group, Hannaford, WVII-TV, Z-107, ZF Lemforder and Sam’s Club.

Funds raised from the Relay For Life event will support the American Cancer Society’s programs of cancer research, education, and services to local cancer patients in Maine. For more information, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour hot line at (800) ACS-2345 or visit the Web site, www.cancer.org