Students seek donations for Honduras project

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Mount Desert Island High School graduate and University of Maine student Emily Little will be “traveling with a group of wonderful UMaine students to Honduras this spring,” she wrote of members of a service-learning class who are leaving March 1 to work on several projects during their three-week spring break in that country.

“One of our main projects” is helping a library in Dulce Nombre, she wrote of their efforts to bring “money to buy books, in Spanish, for the library” as well as “creating our own books.”

She added that “the literacy rate in Honduras is incredibly low,” and the students want to help local residents with access to reading materials.

The students are asking your help in obtaining money to purchase books while they are in Honduras as well as collecting your unwanted books, materials for making books, toothbrushes, toothpaste, fluoride rinse and dental equipment.

They also need toys, school supplies and arts and crafts supplies, and clothing which “is in good shape,” Little wrote.

The students are selling raffle tickets, homemade cards and jewelry, and are producing a bilingual cookbook to be sold in the near future.

If you can help them obtain any of the needed items, they will be most grateful, and Little wants you to know any donations that arrive after they leave will “definitely” be used next year.

Little reminds you that financial “donations in any amount are helpful” because of the favorable exchange rate. American dollars “can do so much for the Honduran people.”

Contributions can be left with professor Kathleen March, University of Maine, 216 Little Hall, Orono 04469, or with Little at 16B Penobscot St., Orono, 04473.

You can also call Little at 669-2480 or e-mail emily.

little@umit.maine.edu to have your contributions picked up.

On behalf of Sunrise Opportunities of Machias, St. Aidan’s Church, and volunteers from Sunrise Opportunities staff, Beth Schwenk invites you to attend its annual Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Kay Parker Building, 66 Hadley Lake Road, off Route 1 in Machias.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2.50 for children and will be available at the door.

In addition to pancakes, you will enjoy a variety of toppings and beverages at this “all-you-can-eat” benefit.

Those toppings, by the way, include Joe Parisi sausages, strawberries and whipped cream, and creamed chicken.

Someone will win a door prize at the end of the event, and you do not need to be present to win.

The supper benefits Sunrise Opportunities, which operates several Washington County facilities for physically and mentally challenged individuals, as well as assisting them in finding housing and employment, learning to perform basic living tasks, and taking active roles in their communities.

Schwenk reminds you that since the organization is funded by state agencies, the money raised at this event helps pay for some “frills for the clients,” ranging from a new, warm coat for a birthday, or “a Christmas present for a person who has never before received one.”

Individuals who would like to learn about Waldo County Home Health and Hospice Services are invited to attend a Family Caregiver Education and Support Group meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Waldo County General Hospital Education Center, 118 Northport Ave. in Belfast.

A Power Point presentation by Margie Spencer-Smith will differentiate between services available through the Home Health program and the Hospice program.

The Support Group meets at noon the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Education Center, and is co-facilitated by Spencer-Smith of Waldo County Home Health and Hospice and Brenda Whitley of the Family Caregiver Support Program of Senior Spectrum.

For more information, call Spencer-Smith, 338-2268, or Whitley, (800) 282-0746, ext. 127.

You are invited to the 10th annual Dessert Cabaret beginning with elegant homemade desserts at 5:30 p.m. and entertainment at 7 p.m., Friday, March 3, at Belfast Area High School.

Sponsored by Waldo County Healthcare, the event features the return of favorite local performers such as Don DePoy and Martha Hills, as well as local dancers and singers.

You will enjoy cheesecake, pies and cookies along with the usual fun fare of drinks, hot dogs, popcorn and snacks.

Admission is free, but donations are requested, and the winner of the 50-50 raffle will be announced at the end of the show.

The event benefits the Waldo County Healthcare wellness program.

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