Early ‘boxing day’ to aid Waldo County needy

Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, is a legal holiday for the British. But, for those involved with People for People, “boxing day” begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the residence of Paul Garelli, 600 Brooks Road in Knox.

That is when and where everyone involved in this program, founded by Garelli, will gather to prepare Christmas food boxes for the needy in the Waldo County area.

From its humble beginnings of distributing 87 food baskets in its first year, wrote Brian Parkman, People for People has grown dramatically. Last year, the program not only distributed 528 boxes containing a turkey or ham and all the fixings, but also donated $10,000 to local food banks.

Through the ensuing years, he continued, People for People “has given out thousands of Christmas food boxes” and this year, already, the program has also donated $10,000 to area food banks.

Funded entirely by tax-deductible donations and donated food, Parkman wrote, People for People “is run by local volunteers and has no paid staff, so it operates with none of the usual overhead.

“Office space, printing, computers and postage are all donated,” Parkman said, and “100 percent of every contribution goes to those who need it.”

To contribute to People for People, drop off donated food at the Republican Journal, 71 High St., Belfast, Bangor Savings Bank in Unity or at any Waldo County school.

The boxes will be distributed on Saturday, Dec. 20.

For more information about the program or to make a contribution, call Diane Hull of Unity during regular business hours at 568-4062, or evenings and weekends at 948-5720.

For those of you who are still searching for the perfect stocking-stuffer for that special someone in your life, don’t forget the new Diamond Ring Raffle, sponsored by Health Services Foundation, which is affiliated with Houlton Regional Hospital.

Not only is someone going to receive a diamond ring worth more than $7,000 on Valentine’s Day, but someone else will win a trip for two to the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race next May in Charlotte, N.C.

Only 950 raffle tickets for the ring will be sold, but 2,500 tickets will be sold for the NASCAR raffle, which offers a second and third prize.

For more information or to obtain your tickets for either raffle, call Elizabeth Dulin at 532-2900.

Here’s a thought you can pass along to any Bangor High School graduate who is home for the holidays: Jerry Ballanger, retired BHS guidance counselor and member of the Class of 1948, is collecting Oracle yearbooks.

Ballanger wrote that the nephew of the late Jessie Fraser, adviser to the Oracle and Orascope for many years, gave Ballanger her yearbook collection after her death.

If you have a yearbook that is not in use or if you have lost yours, call Ballanger at 989-4596.

Also, Ballanger proudly reported that when his BHS Class of 1948 celebrated its 60th reunion last August, class members set a goal of raising $20,000 in pledges over five years in order to present a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating BHS senior each year.

If you are interested in being part of that effort, you are encouraged to call Ballanger at the number listed above.

Parish administrator Corky Smith reports that St. John’s Episcopal Church Youth Fellowship will host its Third annual Christmas Dinner for the Bangor Community at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, in the church Undercroft, 225 French St., in Bangor.

Preparation and setup begins at noon that day. If you can help, call Smith between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. today and Friday, Dec. 19, or e-mail stjohns@midmaine.com.

The dinner is free.

More information can be obtained from Stephen Dass at 947-0156.

Viola Woodward, the mother of my dear friend, Kay Blanchard of Bangor, died last week at age 94.

Many Bangor High School alumni will remember Mrs. Woodward as their French teacher.

Other people will remember her love of music and related activities that delighted and entertained all in her presence.

To Kay and her family, I extend my deepest sympathy and share, with them, a sincere appreciation for the efforts of the staff at Westgate Manor who, for so many years, gave Kay’s mother the kind and thoughtful attention she needed.

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