Gerry Dostie, president of Maine-ly Harmony women’s barbershop chorus, presented a check for $2,386 to Autism Society of Maine Executive Director Nancy Intrieri recently at the society’s headquarters in Winthrop.

The local chorus is a chapter of Harmony Inc., an international organization that supports autism-related issues through fund-raising events every year.

During last November’s international convention and competition in Rochester, N.Y., almost $5,000 was raised, half of which was awarded to a chorus in Canada and half to a chorus in the United States.

The women of Maine-ly Harmony were thrilled when their bid, prepared by Linda Davis of Palermo, was selected to receive the funds for Maine?s autism camp in Farmington.

Nancy Intrieri said that parents of autistic children say the camp is a tremendous help to their the children. For more information on the camp and the Autism Society, call (800) 273-5200 or visit www.asmonline.org.

At the same convention last fall, members of Maine-ly Harmony from the Bangor area raised $100 selling magnetic autism ribbons, which was donated to the Bangor autism group to help expand its lending library.

The parent-professional support group in Bangor is part of the Penquis Community Action Program and can be reached at 973-3500 or www.penquiscap.org.

Maine-ly Harmony, under the direction of Kathy Greason, performed several selections for the Autism Society’s board of directors after presenting the donation.

The chorus meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at Gardiner Middle School, and welcomes all women to come listen and participate. Call Donna Ryder at 582-5523 or e-mail dryderme@juno.com for more information.