News in brief ORONO: NAACP VOLUNTEERS HEADED TO GULF COAST

Two volunteers from the Greater Bangor chapter of the NAACP who are headed south to aid survivors of Hurricane Katrina got a warm send-off Monday at the University of Maine. Francis Thompson and Willie Nelson will drive a donated van to the battered Gulf Coast region and administer help in any way they can, including with efforts to help survivors relocate to Maine, James Varner, the group’s president, said Monday. The volunteers are scheduled to spend 30 days in Louisiana and Mississippi, but so far, not enough money has been raised to support them. The NAACP has worked with the Human Rights Commission to create an account to help raise money. Send donations to Mainers Katrina Survivors Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 478, Old Town 04468.