Bon voyage and happy building wishes go with 20 people representing the Maine Association of Realtors, who leave Sunday for Alabama to participate in a Habitat for Humanity home construction project for a family affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Mary Kuykendall of Bangor is president of the Bangor Board of Realtors.

She e-mailed me that the Maine Association of Realtors, in partnership with the National Association of Realtors and Habitat for Humanity International, is participating in Operation Home Delivery.

“Funds in the amount of $70,000 have been raised, and 18 Realtors (one of whom is bringing his wife as a volunteer) from all over Maine … along with Jeremy Payne” of Augusta “who is our association’s Government Affairs Director, will spend a week building a home in Mobile.

“Weather and stamina permitting,” Kuykendall continued, “the house should proceed from just a slab to needing only carpet and appliances in the week we’re there.”

Kuykendall explained that “each state’s association was challenged by the National Association of Realtors to raise money and build a home in the hurricane area.”

The Habitat volunteers traveling with Kuykendall and Payne include JoAnn Higgins of Bangor; Steve Joy and Emilie Jones, Ellsworth; Peter Wood, Belfast; Paul Trowbridge, Blue Hill; Vicki Doudera, Camden; Marsha Steinglass, Rockport; Tom Munson, Fairfield; Bart Stevens, Winslow; JoAnne Webber, Waterville and Sherry Gregory, Winthrop.

Also taking part are Mark and Paula Schoenthaler, Rangeley; Gail Rizzo, Belgrade Lakes; Callie Pecunies, Bethel; Patti Lawton and Carol Minnehan-Lee, Brunswick; and Deb Marathon, Ogunquit.

Members of the Maine Association of Realtors can take pride in accepting and meeting that challenge and for the contributions these people are making to help those still suffering from the 2005 hurricane. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web ste, more than 1,800 people died and damage totaled at least $81 billion.

Brewer High School students will have fun for a good cause participating in “Up All Night” beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, and ending at 5 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. It is designed to benefit the March of Dimes Dime Drive.

Cindy Ault of the March of Dimes in Brewer reports this fundraiser, which began Jan. 1, “is off to a terrific start” with the support of area Key Clubs and school organizations.

The Brewer High School Key Club and adviser Mike Hutchins hope this event will help the club raise the most money and win the March of Dimes contest for a WBZN-FM 107.3 disc jockey to appear at a school dance and have one student become a disc jockey for a day.

Participants need to raise a minimum of $15 in pledges to attend, with $10 benefiting the March of Dimes.

Any student who wants to participate should speak with Hutchins, a Key Club member or a homeroom teacher.

The Key Club will serve pizza and other donations from Fairmount Market, Spanky’s Pizza, Michaud Distributors and Sam’s Club.

Anyone who can help by making desserts can call Hutchins at Brewer High School, 989-4140, or Ault at 989-3376.

Norma Binan e-mailed that the Bangor area chapter of the American Sewing Guild is conducting a series of two serger classes for anyone who would like to participate.

A serger, Binan has previously explained to me, is “a machine that cuts and stitches edges.”

The serger classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting Saturday, Jan. 12, at the Hampden Municipal Building on Western Avenue. The cost is $10 for Guild member and $15 for others. According to Binan, the classes begin with the basic T-shirt design.

Chris Thornton will teach attendees how to work with knits and fleece, and will offer you other pointers.

If you have questions, you may call Binan at 862-4367.

The first meeting of the New Year for Women of the World is noon Monday, Jan 14, at the Church of Universal Fellowship on Main Street in Orono.

Lunch will feature American soups, breads and cookies.

Open to both American and international women, the lunch costs $4 for women and children over 10, $2 for children 6-10, and free for children attending with their mothers. Reservations are not required.

The monthly program focuses on a featured country.

WOW is sponsored by the University of Maine Office of International Programs & National Student Exchange.

For more information about the organization or the meetings, call WOW coordinator Mireille Le Gal at 581-3423.

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