Readers in Greater Bangor should be very proud, and equally supportive, of four area teams that have qualified to represent Maine in the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals Wednesday, May 26, through Saturday, May 29, at the University of Tennessee in Nashville.

These young people not only put together winning performances in the worldwide creative problem-solving competition, but now they, their parents and friends are raising money to get them all to Tennessee, and I hope you can help.

Adviser Michelle Libby of Clifton reports that the Holbrook School team has a busy fund-raising month planned.

Team supporters will be hosting a bake sale and selling hot dogs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at Wal-Mart in Brewer.

A spaghetti supper, dessert, auction and silent auction are planned for 5:15 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the school. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children and $13 for a family of four.

Following the event, you will enjoy seeing the team’s winning performance.

These young people will host a car wash and bake sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 15, at Merrill Bank in Holden and a bottle drive during daylight hours Saturday, May 22, in Holden and Eddington.

Donations to help the team travel to Tennessee can be sent to Holbrook School DI, 202 Kidder Hill Road, Holden 04429, Attn: Don Spencer.

Team manager Cora Swalec of Hampden reports the fourth Weatherbee School team since 1998 to reach the Destination ImagiNation Global Finals has several events planned to raise the nearly $10,000 they need.

Raffle tickets for a $300 Longaberger basket can be purchased from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 30, at Wal-Mart in Bangor or through the school.

Certificates for Borders Benefit Days during regular business hours, Saturday, May 1, and Sunday, May 2, are also available through the school.

The team will benefit from 20 percent of your purchases, excluding tax and tip, during regular business hours Tuesday, May 18, at Uno Chicago Grill at Bangor Mall. Certificates are also available through the school.

Bottles and cans are being collected at Hampden Redemption and Tomcats Redemption, and all financial contributions are welcome.

A celebration dinner with seatings at 5 and 6:15 p.m. Monday, June 21, at Oriental Jade in Bangor also benefits the team. Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for children and are available by visiting or calling Weatherbee School at 862-3254.

Adviser Audrey Swanton reports two teams from John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor qualified for the Global Finals, and they are busily raising funds.

“DI Does Jazz” features the school’s jazz band along with skits and a pie auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1, in the Bapst auditorium on Broadway in Bangor.

An ongoing bottle and can returnables account has been established in the name of the Bapst teams at R & J Bottle Redemption in Brewer, Swanton said, and “donations for community service work, such as raking and yard work,” are being gratefully accepted.

If you need more information about helping the Bapst teams get to Tennessee, call the school at 947-0313.

Hampden Academy’s Mock Trial Team is coached by social studies teacher Kathryn King, attorney Bill Devoe of the Bangor law firm Eaton, Peabody, and Jim McCarthy, assistant U.S. attorney in Bangor.

Last December that team won the Maine state championship, and it will represent us in the National Mock Trial Competition Thursday, May 6, through Sunday, May 9, in Orlando, Fla.

To help defray expenses for travel and lodging, an account has been established in the trial team’s name at Hampden Redemption Center, 274 Western Ave.

“The students will be very grateful for any returnables donated on the team’s behalf by friends, families, neighbors, teachers, acquaintances and folks unaffiliated with the team but who don’t mind giving their bottles and cans to a good cause,” King wrote.

For more information about how you can help the team represent Maine, call Hampden Academy at 862-3792.

United Way of Eastern Maine needs volunteers for its Lend-A-Hand program during the fifth annual Citywide Clean Up and Barbecue on Saturday, May 1, at 17 parks and schoolyards in Bangor.

The barbecue is 11 a.m. at Stillwater Park on Howard Street.

All projects are listed at www.unitedwayem.org. Volunteers can call Sara Yasner, 941-2800, for more information.

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