Help ‘Stuff the Bus’ – donate school supplies

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Everywhere you go, you see parents and guardians, boys and girls happily shopping for the necessities to return to school.

But for many people, shopping is not a happy experience. In fact, in some cases, there is no shopping to be done because there are no extra family funds to purchase those much-needed items.

That’s where you come in.

Penquis Community Action Program, based in Bangor but with offices throughout Penobscot and Piscataquis counties; radio station Z103.7; Cyr Bus Lines; and Brewer Wal-Mart Supercenter invite you to help “Stuff the Bus” with school supplies for youngsters living in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

According to information provided by Jennifer Brooks of Penquis CAP, the National Retail Federation estimates it costs more than $525 per child to purchase back-to-school supplies.

Stuff the Bus takes place Thursday, Aug. 17, through Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Brewer Wal-Mart.

Donations will be accepted at that site, or throughout the month of August, at any Penquis CAP office in the two counties.

If you have questions, call Brooks at (800) 215-4942 or 973-3558.

While we’re on the subject of activities of Penquis Community Action Program, here are a couple more that should be of interest to you.

First, events coordinator Maria Marsh Staples wants you to know Penquis CAP is hosting its sixth annual Back To School Celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Brewer Auditorium.

“The event is free to all children and families,” Staples wrote.

“We will be having free raffles, snacks and drinks, and a bounce house. Each child will receive a small bag with school supplies.”

In addition, MaineCare applications and information will be available, and representatives of more than 20 different programs and organizations will participate.

Those folks “will be offering information on the services they have available as well as offering interactive activities for the children,” Staples explained.

And Marie Durant of Penquis CAP reminds parents who need child care and live in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties that you “can turn to the Penquis CAP Child Care Resource Development Center for help in locating before-school, after-school, full- or part-time child care.”

This is a free service that can be accessed by telephone or through the Internet.

You can call (888) 917-1100, visit 262 Harlow St. in Bangor, or go to www.penquiscap.org and click on the Resource Development Center icon.

On behalf of members of Grace United Methodist Church in Bangor, secretary Darlene Shortt wants readers to know that pre-sale tickets are now available for Dessert with Elvis, which is 6-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, at the Elks Club, 108 Odlin Road in Bangor.

She describes the event as “a wonderful evening of entertainment, silent and live auctions and a dessert buffet” featuring the “ever-popular Elvis impersonator Bruce Nye.”

In his role as Elvis, Nye will “lead you on a musical trip back to the ’50s and ’60s” while you enjoy “delicious homemade desserts prepared by the ladies at Grace United Methodist Church.”

The auctions feature everything from a pinball machine to gift certificates for dining and theater, Penobscot Bingo, gifts and much more.

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased in advance at Patrick’s Hallmark in the Broadway Shopping Center in Bangor; during regular business hours at Grace Church, 193 Union St. or by calling the church, 942-8320; and during regular business hours Friday, Sept. 1, at Marden’s in Brewer.

Tickets also will be available at the door the day of the event.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Grace Church’s community outreach programs.

Mary Marin Lyon, executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, has announced that people who might be interested in helping adults improve their reading and-or English-speaking skills can take a one-hour Intro to Literacy overview.

The class will provide “general information about literacy programming and tutor expectations before enrolling in the certification tutor training course,” she wrote.

Several times and dates for the class are available, including 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12; noon-1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18; 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17; and noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25. All classes are conducted at United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road, Bangor.

To register for the overview, call 947-8451, or visit www.lvbangor.org.

People interested in improving their reading or learning English can call LV-Bangor at the number above for more information about working with a tutor.

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