From Bangor Area Homeless Shelter executive director Dennis Marble comes an invitation for individuals and organizations to participate in the shelter’s 13th annual Hike for the Homeless, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 10, with walkers starting at specific locations in Hampden, Brewer, Veazie and outer Broadway in Bangor.

Participants will conclude their walk at the Bangor Waterfront.

“BAHS is seeking support, in many forms” for this fundraiser, “including people who will hike, donate hot dogs and chips for the walkers, and individuals and-or businesses willing to sell $1 wristbands and-or raffle tickets,” Marble wrote.

He also hopes that shelter supporters will accept the challenge issued by Hampden Academy students for other school and community representatives to participate in this event and stride along their routes wearing their school or town colors.

Marble also reminds you that raffle prizes include a trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a big-screen television.

For registration forms, or more information about the event or the shelter in general, Marble wrote, call BAHS at 947-0092.

Sebasticook Valley Federal Credit Union, which was among the top donors for the 2007 Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, has already started fundraising for the 2008 campaign, according to information provided by SVFCU.

Now through Wednesday, April 30, Linda Miller, a member of Valley Arts Alliance, is exhibiting 10 of her paintings in the lobby of the SVFCU branch in Pittsfield, and 10 percent of the proceeds from any painting sold will be donated to the 2008 Ending Hunger Campaign.

For more information about SVFCU or this campaign, visit www.svfcume.com.

Waldo County General Hospital has announced a free, monthly adult Reiki Clinic is 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Massage Therapy and Reiki Clinic, Room 205, at WCGH, 118 Northport Avenue in Belfast.

For information, call Cynthia Swan, 930-2549.

Amy Allen of St. Joseph Healthcare reports St. Joseph Hospice needs volunteers “to provide nonmedical support to hospice patients and their caregivers.”

Volunteers, “of all ages, faiths and walks of life” serve two to four hours each week, depending on availability, Allen said, adding that training sessions for new volunteers begins Wednesday, April 30.

If you can help patients and families during these difficult times, call Jane Folsom at 262-1810.

Anyone expecting a baby, or who plans to have a baby, is invited to attend the Eastern Maine Medical Center 2008 Spring Birth Night, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in Mason Auditorium at EMMC in Bangor.

Tricia Denham of EMMC reports families and friends are invited to attend this program to “learn about the great range of childbirth services available at EMMC, meet the professionals who work in these services and find out answers to your questions,” ranging from childbirth education classes to breast-feeding.

Featured speakers will be Dr. Carey Fister, pediatric dentist, and Karen Kohlmeyer, pediatric physical therapist and owner of My Gym for Children in Brewer.

Jon Falk of Peace through Interamerican Community Action in Bangor, has announced that people wishing to participate in the PICA 2008 Perennial Plant Sale must place their orders by Thursday, May 1, for pickup in mid-May.

PICA has partnered with Peter and Julie Beckford of Rebel Hill Farm in Clifton for this sale, Falk wrote, and you can obtain more information, including a full plant sale catalog with photos, at the PICA Web site, www.pica.ws.

More information is also available by calling PICA at 947-4203 or e-mailing info@pica.ws.

Joni Miller wrote that the St. Croix Historical Society will sell a new cookbook beginning Thursday, May 1.

“The Valley Cookbook” contains “only the best of recipes,” Miller wrote, adding that some are historic, and that is “what makes the book unique.”

“The Valley Cookbook,” which also includes the 1993 version, is $10, or $12 with shipping and handling, and may be obtained by calling Miller at 454-2830, or Fred Becker at 454-3695.

The book is also available at The Holmestead on Main Street in Calais.

Maine Maritime Academy of Castine President Leonard Tyler has announced that the college’s online auction, to benefit the annual fund, continues through May 27.

This special fundraiser features items ranging from gift certificates to sailboats. You can place your bid online at www.mmaafa.cmarket.com.

For more information, call Karen Cukierski, during weekday business hours, at 326-2177.

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