This marks the 53rd year that the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve has been making Christmas brighter for everyone through its Toys for Tots & Teens program.

For the past several years, The Maine Real Estate Management Association has been working with the Marines to make sure that Christmas gifts get collected, and distributed to needy children in our state.

For this area, Corinne Van Peursem is the lady in charge of that effort, and she admits that this year she finds herself “overwhelmed by the needs of so many struggling families.”

But, she adds, “although the task seems daunting at times, we are aided by so many wonderful organizations that never seem to let us down.”

And, this year, even more groups are joining in the effort to make this a special holiday.

Van Peursem told us that several local women’s organizations that in year’s past had swapped gifts among themselves at their annual holiday gatherings, are now bringing gifts for the Toys for Tots & Teens program.

Van Peursem recalled one woman telling her that the “last thing I need is another $15 trinket in my house I will never use,” which is why she was so happy to be giving a gift to a needy youngster.

Working with Van Peursem is Marine reservist Gabriel Rios of Omega Technical Training in Brewer.

Together, the two volunteers are the primary “shoppers” for the program in this area and, Van Peursem told us, Omega Tech is “donating all of the trucks and drivers for all of the deliveries we’re doing across the state of Maine. If we need something delivered to Fort Kent or Kittery, Omega gets it there.”

Also volunteering for the program are members of the University of Maine men’s hockey team.

“We will have 13 of the Maine Black Bears, a baker’s dozen, signing autographs at KB Toys at the Bangor Mall from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16,” Van Peursem said.

Anyone who stops by, and who is able, is asked to either drop off a new toy or make a monetary donation to Toys for Tots & Teens.

And, Van Peursem says donations will also be accepted at the UMaine hockey game Thursday night, Dec. 14, at Alfond Arena in Orono.

We learned that the work of the Marine Celebrity Baggers at Ames Department Store last Saturday was a great success.

Most of the volunteers actually put in a couple of additional hours because they were doing so well.

The lucky winner of the $50 gift certificate to J.B. Parker’s Fine Dining was Diane Brasseau of Brewer.

If you are interested in making a donation to Toys for Tots & Teens, you can drop your contributions off in Bangor at Ames Department Store, Studio 2000, Oriental Jade Restaurant, Sweet’s Market or the U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Office.

In Brewer you can leave donations at Marden’s or Omega Technical Training.

Van Peursem also wants everyone to know that while Toys for Tots & Teens is a nationwide program, “all items and funds collected in this area remain in this community.”

On behalf of the nation’s second oldest continually performing community orchestra, Bangor Band president Don Menninghaus cordially invites members of the public to attend its Annual Christmas Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Bangor Civic Center.

Menninghaus is eagerly looking forward to this event which he describes as “our biggest concert of the year.”

He said the 142-year-old band will feature “some brass groups playing carols in the lobby before the concert, for people who come early,” and said there will music “everyone will enjoy.”

The admission is free, and lots of wonderful music is promised for kids and adults. “And we’ll have our traditional visit from Santa Claus,” Menninghaus said.

The concert usually attracts a large audience, he pointed out, “because everyone likes holiday music, and we play something for everyone.”

On another subject, Menninghaus said band librarian Dick Stark is seeking donations of file cabinets to hold the band’s music.

“They just have to be strong ones,” Menninghaus said of the cabinets, “because music is pretty heavy, and they have to hold lots of music.”

Currently, the band has two separate alphabets of its music, “one on shelves and one in a file cabinet,” Menninghaus said.

Since the Bangor Band in nonprofit, “this could be a tax-deduction [contribution] for the right person,” he said. “And, maybe, this time of year, Santa will be nice to us.”

Arrangements can be made for pickup or delivery of the cabinets by calling Menninghaus at work, 866-7874, or at home, 942-1295.

But, mainly, Menninghaus wants the public to be sure to attend its Christmas Concert, which offers members of the Bangor Band, “a chance to share the holiday with the community.”

We continue today with the holiday wish list compiled by United Way of Eastern Maine for its partner agencies, with requests that individuals or businesses might be able to fill this holiday season.

First, however, we want to correct the telephone number we printed in yesterday’s column for Rape Response Services, which needs socks and new sweat pants and sweat shirts, in all sizes. The correct number to call Kathy Walker is 941-2890.

Commonsense Housing Inc., is seeking puzzles with 50 pieces or less, hats, mittens, scarves, movie passes, gift certificates for stores and restaurants for such places as the Bangor Mall, Burger King or McDonalds and games and videos that would be appropriate for children or teen-agers. Call Marie Brissette at 989-1303 or 989-2719.

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

990-8288.