Two college women, who have been best friends since childhood and were outstanding student-athletes at Foxcroft Academy in Dover-Foxcroft, are planning an unusual Christmas break.

Dana Frasz, a student at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y., and Yale University coed Diana Swett will join two other Yale students in Climb for a Cause, part of the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project.

The foursome will participate in a three-week visit, Dec. 18-Jan. 11, to the African continent where they will spend part of their Christmas vacation in the slums of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, working with poor children and families.

They will also attempt to climb Mt. Kenya, and will visit neighboring Tanzania to attempt Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, “in order to raise awareness for worldwide hunger and homelessness,” Frasz wrote.

“The achievement of climbing the highest mountain on the African continent was the incentive, both for us to meet our fund-raising goal of $5,000, each, and for donors to contribute to the project,” she explained.

“While in Nairobi, we will live with a host family, learn about slum life and will volunteer in the facilities of Watoto wa Lwanga,” one of the charitable organizations they are assisting.

And while the women have met their fund-raising requirements for the trip, Frasz wrote they are “still trying to raise as much money as possible to keep the high cost of plane tickets to Kenya from cutting into the amount” they can contribute to the charities.

Checks can be made out to Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project, with the names of Frasz and Swett on the memo line, and mailed to YHHAP Climb for a Cause, P.O. Box 201262, New Haven, Conn., 06520.

The 27th Annual Children’s Book Drive is under way on the University of Maine campus in Orono.

The UMaine College of Education and Human Development, with help from the Old Town-Orono Kiwanis Club, is collecting books for needy youngsters, and you are invited to participate.

New, gift-wrapped, age-appropriate books are being accepted through noon Friday, Dec. 3, at the office of Dean Robert Cobb, 151 Shibles Hall, on the UMaine campus.

The UMaine Book Store in Memorial Union is also collecting books and, for every book purchased for the drive, will contribute a book of equal value.

The bookstore also will sell all children’s books at a 25 percent discount during Children’s Book Week, which continues through Tuesday, Nov. 23.

Founding director Brenda Davis of Crossroads Ministries in Old Town will complete her 3rd Annual Credit Union Ending Hunger Walking Tour of Maine, leaving at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, from the University of Maine Credit Union in Orono for the Old Town Credit Union on Main Street.

Davis began her walk Tuesday, Oct. 28, in Old Town and was to cover 700 miles and visit 46 communities to raise funds, and awareness, for the hungry in Maine.

Participants are encouraged to join the final leg of her walk, and T-shirts will be awarded those raising $25 or more.

For more information, call Crossroads at 827-1298.

“Auction! Auction! Auction!” begins with a preview 11 a.m.-12:55 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Midcoast Christian Fellowship, 21 Patterson Hill Road in Belfast.

A silent auction is 11 a.m.-noon in the Fellowship Hall, and the regular auction is 1-3 p.m. in the sanctuary.

Lunch, featuring a hamburger plate for $6 and a hotdog plate for $4, will be served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Local favorite “Rosey” Gerry of Lincolnville will serve as auctioneer.

On the auction block will be items ranging from antique pictures to antique pews; a 1965, 2-door Ford Falcon; a 1,600 square foot granite/marble tile and many gift certificates.

All proceeds benefit the Waldo County Teen Center.

For more information, call Jim Begley, 338-5899, or Bruce Page, 323-2435.

Elaine Briggs of Aroostook Agency on Aging reports the 18th Annual Caring Country Craft Fair is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21, at Presque Isle Inn & Convention Center on Route 1.

A major fund-raiser for the Alzheimer’s and RSVP programs, proceeds help provide vital respite and other services for family caregivers.

A variety of vendors offer everything from personalized ornaments to herbal remedies, soy candles and pine wood products.

Call Sharon Berz, 764-3396, Ext. 104, for more information.

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