A thank-you to everyone who makes a difference

Today is national Make A Difference Day, and while it is commendable that we join together for projects on this special day, it is equally commendable that others make a difference every day when it is most needed, as those who write the Bangor Daily News remind us.

The individuals who are the troop greeters at Bangor International Airport are appreciated by folks everywhere.

The list of recent letter writers thanking the troop greeters for being there for them or family members include Connie Van Sickel, Spokane, Wash.; Georgia House and Kathy Spinuzzi, Boise, Idaho; Sheila Froemke, Litchville, N.D.; Pera Fisher, Annapolis, Md.; Walter and Birdie Shepard, St. Parkersburg, W.Va.; Olive Baum, Douglas, Wyo.; and an anonymous U.S. Marine mother.

Local fund-raisers have been successful because you participated, in some way, and the following people offer their thanks for your support: Bob Brennan, vice chair of FUTURE MSAD 3, for the success of its first golf tournament; Carol Ryan on behalf of the Special Olympics Fly-In; Katrina Sherman, volunteer chair for the Komen Maine Affiliate and Maine Race for the Cure; Louise Small for the Beth Israel Miniature Golf Fund-raiser; and Eric and Julie Roach for the Walk to Cure Diabetes for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Also expressing thanks were David and Monique Wormwood for a successful Causeway Bikers Cancer Research Run; Steve Desmond for your support of United Way of Eastern Maine’s Kickoff; Lisa Martin for the Phillips-Strickland House Golf Tournament; Alan Comeau for the Swing Fore Life Tournament for Acadia Hospital; and sponsors of the third annual Carol Dyer Memorial Light the Way to a Cure Luminaria Evening on Mount Desert Island.

Jennifer Drawbridge thanks Lincolnville area residents and MBNA for the success of the Plain ‘n’ Fancy Auction to benefit Lincolnville Central School, and Marge Sheridan of the Monroe Community Library gives thanks for your support of its first Monroe Garden Tour.

Corporation and foundation donations regularly making a difference in the lives of others include: UBS Financial Services’ contribution of $5,000 to Project Atrium’s Endowment Fund, and Wal-Mart’s support of $1,000 to the Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Maine Race for the Cure 2004, $2,250 split equally among the volunteer fire departments of Milford, Hudson and Corinth, and a $500 donation to Care Development of Maine.

Public servants make a difference in the line of duty every day, but they don’t always get thanks. Alan Toothaker, leader of Cub Scout Webelos Pack 86 of Ellsworth, thanks the Maine wardens and others who helped the pack return safely from a recent hike; and Peter and Erin Martin thank Bangor firefighters for saving their home when a fire broke out in their attic.

Honest people returning precious lost items make a difference as well.

James Wardwell thanks the woman who found his wallet and delivered it securely to the Bangor Police Department. Everard Fish thanks the person who put his lost wallet into a mail slot at the Hampden Post Office, the postal employee who contacted him, and the Holden and Brewer police departments for their assistance.

Hospitals and doctors made a difference in the lives of the family of Susan Shatel of Morrill, who thanks Dr. David Loxterkamp and staff at Waldo County General Hospital. Bunny Plummer of Harrington thanks members of the staff of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor for successfully bringing her through life-altering surgery.

Jennifer Collins, activities director of Country Villa, thanks Albert Bean for the use of the original W.A. Bean & Sons hot dog costume that made an elderly gentleman’s birthday special. President Jim Doherty and members of the Lubec Memorial Library board of trustees thank representatives of Bar Harbor Banking and Trust Co. for the donation of used computers.

Some choose their own date for Make A Difference Day.

For example, for the 14th year, Key Bank closed its doors at noon Tuesday, Sept. 14, so its employees could volunteer at locations throughout Maine. Arvilla Verceles thought it made a difference people did their civic duty by signing petitions to put the Bangor police station location question on the city ballot for Election Day, Nov. 2.

Making a difference every day – that’s what you are doing, and your efforts are appreciated.

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