One of the ways many nonprofits, foundations and friends help those in need is by hosting everything from craft fairs to auctions, benefit dinners and raffles.

A major ingredient for the success of these events is either donations from the public or fees from vendors renting booths to sell their wares.

Right now, several such fundraisers need your help, and that is the focus of this column.

As the date of each event nears, I’ll have more details. But right now, keep in mind that your participation is essential to the success of each of them.

A benefit spaghetti dinner and raffle for the Young family, sponsored by friends and co-workers, is 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Hampden Kiwanis Hall.

Royce Young has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Stage 3 lymphoma and is being treated in Bangor and Boston.

To make a raffle donation, call Lisa Ashford, 862-7006, or Robin Spaulding, 862-2256.

Carol Lackedy reports the second annual Indoor What-Ever Sale to benefit Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare is 9 am.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Brewer Auditorium.

Rental for an 8-foot table is $25 per table, and suggested sales items include antiques, crafts, yard sale goods, artwork, baked goods, beauty and scrapbook items.

A donation of one item from your table is requested for a future CMN Auction.

Call Lackedy, 848-7317 or 299-5186, for more information, or write her at 3026 Route 2, Hermon 04401.

And Lackedy also wants you to know the Anah Shrine Keystone Kops are preparing for their first annual dinner auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, at Spectacular Event Center in Bangor.

They are seeking donations of items and crafts for the auction; individuals or businesses to advertise in their program book; volunteers to help out the night of the fundraiser; and financial contributions to help cover event expenses and support the fundraiser.

For more information, call Lakedy or Shawn Cowan, 848-7317 or 299-5186, or write either at 3026 Route 2, Hermon, 04401.

Casey Cote of St. Joseph Healthcare reports its Employee Activity Committee is preparing to host its annual Holiday Craft Fair 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1, on the second floor of the Bangor hospital.

Planners are hoping to have a large assortment of crafts for sale from vendors like you who can rent a table for $25 if you are an SJH employee or $30 for non-employees.

Table location is on a first-come, first-served basis, and you can reserve a table by calling 262-1973.

The committee coordinates activities and outings for SJH employees, physicians and volunteers, and proceeds from the fair benefit that work.

Here’s a reminder that the Junior League of Bangor is hosting a yard sale to benefit Summer in the City: The Campaign for Dakin Pool, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at 718 Hammond St. in Bangor.

Bangor City Councilor Gerry Palmer will be selling hot dogs, chips and soda to shoppers, and proceeds from the fundraiser will support BJL efforts to help provide children and families with a safe and healthy summer activity.

All proceeds from the regular weekly bingo game hosted by the Skowhegan-Madison Elks Lodge at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the Lodge, 21 Silver St. in Skowhegan, will benefit the Skowhegan Veterans Memorial.

This event is open to the public.

Ambrose “Tom” McCarthy has served as chairman of the community fundraiser to honor all veterans who served in foreign wars. The cost of the memorial is estimated at $100,000.

Elks Bingo Chairman Alfred Carpenter and Veterans Service Committee chair Susan Horsman are coordinating this event in conjunction with a communitywide effort to finish the memorial in time for next month’s Veterans’ Day dedication.

The opportunity to represent Maine and the Maine State Society in the 60th annual Cherry Blossom Festival April 1-7 in Washington, D.C., is available to a young woman who is a native of our state or who has longtime, significant connections to it.

Single women between the ages of 19 and 25 who have at least a high school diploma, no children, and are available for the entire festival week, are invited to apply.

For more information, call 703-237-1031 or write the MSS, 3434 Upside Court, Falls Church, Va., 22042-4019, and request an application, which must be completed and returned by Wednesday, Dec. 20.

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