BANGOR – National Basketball Hall of Famer John Wooden, former head coach of men’s basketball at UCLA, has recently donated autographed copies of two of his latest books to the March of Dimes Northern Maine Division for its annual dinner auction.

“Coach Wooden’s kindness and generosity will help so much in our auction,” stated Northern Maine Division Director Gene Staffiere.

The popular children’s book, “Inch and Miles,” and his most recent book, “My Personal Best,” were received by the March of Dimes Northern Maine office in Brewer last week.

In addition, Wooden included a personally signed photo of himself displaying his famous “Pyramid Of Success.”

Other items for auction will include a 5-foot-by-8-foot rug from Saliba’s, a chest from Stonington’s Furniture, a deacon’s bench from the woodworking program at the Maine State Prison and a Tom Hennessey print, “The Swamp Sentinel.”

The fifth annual March of Dimes Dinner Auction will take place at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the Elks Club on Odlin Road.

Anyone interested in purchasing a table or individual dinner auction tickets should contact the Northern Maine March of Dimes office at 989-3376. Additional items for auction also are welcome, Staffiere said.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies. In 2003, the organization launched a campaign to address the increasing rate of premature birth.

Gene Staffiere (left) displays two books written and autographed by basketball coach John Wooden, “My Personal Best” and “Inch and Miles.” The books, the deacon’s bench on which Staffiere is sitting, and the chest (right) from Stonington’s Furniture are among items donated for the March of Dimes Dinner Auction, set for Oct. 17 at the Elks Club in Bangor. (Roxanne Moore Saucier/The Weekly)