Recently, I spoke with Scot Grant of Northfield, Vt., who leaves home today on a 2,000-mile bike tour through the six New England states.

His goal is to raise $250,000 to assist three organizations that help young people with cancer, and one of those groups is Camp Rainbow.

The American Cancer Society’s Camp Rainbow takes place June 17 through 23 at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake in Ellsworth.

Information provided by the ACS office in Topsham reports that “since 1987, the traditional softball, swimming, s’mores, and other summertime activities” have been conducted at Camp Rainbow “with an on-site medical staff prepared to meet the special needs of campers being treated for cancer.”

Grant hopes to be at Camp Rainbow June 20-21 to help that organization celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Along the way, he’s hoping you will make pledges and help support his quest to help the kids.

Cynthia Magnuson of the ACS Topsham office reports you can send a donation to the ACS (with Camp Rainbow in the memo line) to One Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham 04086 or call (800) 464-3102 or 373-3700 to donate or request more information.

Grant, 40, told me he has toured all 48 contiguous states, and that he “has to go to Fort Kent, because I want to be able to say I’ve covered all four corners of the U.S.”

The inspiration for cycling to help kids with cancer came from a documentary he watched about the “life and times of a group of kids with cancer.”

That production made him realize that “as a healthy person who doesn’t have a wife and kids,” and who has “a job I can return to,” this would be “something I could do for the kids” who have cancer.

Grant’s route from Northfield to Fort Kent is expected to take him through Bangor sometime around the first of June, so you might just be reading a little more about his activities at that time.

In the meantime, help him support Camp Rainbow by making a tax-deductible donation to this most worthy cause.

And, while we’re on the subject of Camp Rainbow, Cynthia Magnuson wants readers to know there is still time to register for this weeklong program that is offered free of charge “thanks to financial contributions from” the American Cancer Society’s “many friends and donors.”

Children currently in treatment for cancer and those up to 10 years post-treatment are eligible.

Children age 4 to 6 can attend with a parent or guardian; those 7 and older can attend alone; and siblings are invited as well.

Preference is given to Maine children, but out-of-state children can apply, Magnuson reported, and all attendance “is subject to the approval of the medical director.”

For information and a Camp Rainbow application, call (800) 227-2345, or visit www.cancer.org.

We’ve heard from members of the committee planning the Bangor High School Class of 1957 50th reunion that the event is set for the weekend of July 20-22 in Bangor and Orono.

Festivities include a Friday evening barbecue at the Sea Dog Restaurant in Bangor and, on Saturday, a bus tour and remembrance ceremony at Cascade Park in Bangor, with dinner at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in Orono.

The committee also is pleased to announce that after a “very successful fundraising effort,” the class will award its first scholarship to a 2007 BHS graduate.

The committee would like to know the whereabouts of several classmates, however, and hopes you can help.

Among the missing are Gloria Bates, Jacqueline Bowen, William Colton, Carole Corson, Marshall Lapane, Jane Walker, Archie White and Evelyn Shaw Garland.

Also, Patricia Davis Hitchings, Doris Peavey Huntley, Howard Grant Perkins, Judith Scott Shaw, Barbara Philbrick Wallace, Lloyd Hassen and Charlotte Barker Fortier.

Finally, the class is seeking information on Theresa Pressey Szucs, Sharon Clukey Winchester, Wanda Hansen Stewart and Terrance Averill.

If you can help find these folks, call Lillian McEachern Zanchi at 942-5951 or e-mail zanchi@Maine.edu.

Writing for the Bangor-Brewer Kiwanis Fourth of July celebration, Dan Guerette wants readers to know that plans are under way for the 2007 parade and fireworks celebration, and that your help would be appreciated.

The local Kiwanians would greatly appreciate any financial contribution you can make to help ensure this is a spectacular celebration.

Tax-deductible donations can be made payable to 4th of July Corp., P.O. Box 2712, Bangor 04402-2712.

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