Anyone regularly flying in and out of Bangor International Airport knows all too well the emotional tug at your heart when you see the lounge full of soldiers in uniform.

It’s impossible not to want to speak with those wonderful, brave young men and women, and I may have written this before, but I believe it’s worth repeating.

I learned, the hard way for me at least, that the first words out of my mouth when I approach these soldiers are now, “Coming or Going?” after I once, very cheerily, said, “Welcome home!” to a young soldier who looked me straight in the eye and replied, “I’m leaving, ma’am.”

Now, when my greeting is answered, I have a simple, appropriate response: “Be safe, or welcome home!”

And that’s just one of many reasons it was nice to hear from Avon representative Pamela Baker of Bangor that her district sales manager, Debra Holmes, has initiated an “Operation Hugs” program, which Baker describes as “an effort to give a substantial number of Avon’s ultrasoft toy puppy, named Sparky, to the Maine Troop Greeters.”

The Troop Greeters, Baker said, will then give those puppies to members of the military passing through Bangor “as a token of love and appreciation for all they do and the sacrifices they make.”

Baker wrote, “Approximately 4,000 soldiers pass through BIA weekly.

“It is our goal to have sponsored a minimum of 16,000 Sparky puppies for a month’s worth of distribution.”

If you can help make this project successful with a $15 donation, call Baker at 947-0560 or e-mail pbsavon1@yahoo.com, or call Holmes at 223-4563 or e-mail debra.holmes@avon.com.

Sue Currie of Rape Response Services in Bangor e-mailed that anyone who “ever attended a survivor’s support group” at RRS in Bangor is invited to attend “something new and different.”

Currie reports the center is “offering a drop-in group the first Wednesday of each month” from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Dec. 5, at its facility.

“This is a time for sharing and supporting each other,” she added.

For more information or to RSVP, call Currie at 941-2980 or e-mail rrscsc@rrsonline.org.

Bangor Area Homeless Shelter executive director Dennis Marble and the shelter’s board of directors will host its annual brunch “to meet with legislators and other leaders” at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the shelter, 263 Main St., Bangor, Marble wrote.

If you would like to attend, call Marble at 947-0092.

In keeping with the spirit of the season, Hancock Women’s Club president Charline Sheridan invites all women, members and nonmembers alike, to attend its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, at the Hancock Community Center and participate in a Yankee Swap party.

All you need to do is “bring a wrapped gift” to swap, Sheridan wrote, adding that “refreshments will be served.”

Sheridan also wants you to know that one special HWC project, the Mitten Tree, “has become a welcome tradition” of this organization.

“Handmade mittens are hung on a Christmas tree at the Hancock Grammar School and given to students during a special program just before Christmas,” she wrote.

To donate mittens for the tree, either bring them to this meeting or call Sheridan at 422-8969.

A release from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development reminds readers you have until noon Friday, Dec. 7, to join that department and the Old Town-Orono Kiwanis Club in collecting books for area youngsters through their joint 30th Anniversary Book Drive.

New books suitable for toddlers to teens are requested and can be brought to Shibles Hall on the UMaine campus.

For information, call Theresa McMannus at 581-2441.

United Way of Eastern Maine reports that, for the first time, it is coordinating the Christmas is for Kids drive that provides gifts to 1,400 needy children in Penobscot, Hancock, Washington, Waldo and Piscataquis counties.

Initiated in 1982 by Ellsworth radio station KISS 94.5-FM, the program now works with 18 agencies from United Cerebral Palsy to Wings for Children and Families.

If you can help make a young child’s Christmas wish come true with a maximum $30 contribution, Americorps VISTA volunteer Meredith Eaton, who is overseeing the project, requests you call 800-339-KISS by Friday, Dec. 7.

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