The Bucksport High School Civil Rights Team “is working very diligently” preparing for a benefit dinner and silent auction for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, reports BHS assistant principal Jon Perry.

The fundraiser is 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23, at MacLeod’s Restaurant in Bucksport.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12 for spaghetti, salad, bread and dessert. A vegetarian sauce will be available.

The restaurant offers three sittings: 4-5 p.m., 5-6 p.m. and 6-7 p.m.

Tickets are available at the high school office, from members of the Civil Rights Team or on the day of the benefit at MacLeod’s.

Perry reports the silent auction begins at 4 p.m., and donations are still welcome. Auction items now range from golf to jewelry.

To make a contribution to the auction, visit Perry at BHS or call him at 469-6650.

All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross for hurricane relief.

The Buddy Walk at Cascade Park is 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, on State Street in Bangor.

“The walk is held in connection with National DS [Down syndrome] Awareness Month,” explained Michelle Harmon. “It is an advocacy walk, not a fundraiser.”

On behalf of Reflections of Angels DS Support, Harmon invites “anyone who has a connection to someone with Down syndrome … or is interested in learning more” to join folks walking the half-mile route during “an afternoon of friendship, food and fun.”

Children will enjoy a bounce house and meeting “Dora the Explorer,” “Bob the Builder,” “Barney,” “Shrek” and “Elmo.”

Jason’s New York Style Pizza will provide a free lunch, and families are encouraged to invite their friends or relatives “to walk in teams this year,” Harmon wrote.

Her family will be walking for Team Ciarra.

Supporters of the event include Modern Woodmen of America, Unicel and Precision Auto, with contributions from “Pepsi, Coke and Garelick Farms,” she added.

If you want more information about this event, or to volunteer, call Harmon at 478-1274.

“In Pete’s Memory,” a benefit for the family of late New Canada resident Peter Daigle, a former Soldier Pond convenience store owner, is 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Sly Brook Club House in Soldier Pond.

Ginette Labonte wrote that the cost of the spaghetti feed that includes beans, salad, buns and sweets is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 10.

Daigle was only 39 when he died in early September.

According to Labonte, Daigle was “president of the snowmobile club for seven years, even if he didn’t own a snowmobile,” and was known throughout the community as an individual who would help out whenever it was needed.

Daigle was one who willingly assisted those who were injured, ill or in need, as well as offering his help with fundraisers for everything from “maintenance of the clubhouse and gas for the groomer” to helping with Project Graduation programs, Labonte explained.

“We want him to be remembered for everything he’s ever done,” she added.

Proceeds will assist the family through this difficult time.

The snowmobile club is about a quarter mile from the Lake Road Grocery in Soldier Pond, Labonte explained, but “if people come from out of town,” just stop at the store for directions.

You can join Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union members’ “Ending Hunger in Maine” campaign by attending a benefit to help raise and distribute funds to local food pantries.

Linda Kensell of SVFCU reports that “Hilarious Stage Hypnotist” Steve Marino will be the featured performer at a Chicken Dinner/Show beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. and the performance at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the Pittsfield Elks Lodge on Middle Street.

The cost is $20 per person, and tickets are available in advance at the SVFCU office on Route 7 in Newport, or at its 14 Sebasticook St. office in Pittsfield.

Door prizes include two lift tickets at Sunday River Ski Resort valued at $59 each, Kensell wrote.

She also explained that two-thirds of the money raised during such benefits this year “will go back to the individual CUs to distribute to local food pantries in their community.”

For more information, call SVFCU at 487-5576.

Aimee Senator of the National Kidney Foundation Maine office informed us there was insufficient support for the NKFM Father-Daughter Dance planned for Friday, Oct. 21, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, and that the event has been canceled.

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