Much more than raising awareness about the needs of the homeless will be at stake when Bangor Area Homeless Shelter program director Mike Andrick leads more than 20 hikers up Mount Katahdin for the organization’s annual Hike to End Homelessness on Saturday, Aug. 3.

The hike is also a fund-raiser and shelter director Dennis Marble points out, “We’ve set a very ambitious goal of raising $50,000 this year.”

With governmental funding providing only 40 percent of the shelter’s budget, “we need to raise at least $30,000 to break even,” he added.

One of the reasons the fund-raiser is extra important this year is that in addition to working hard to do its part to help end homelessness, BAHS is also competing for funding “to renovate the vacant third floor to provide six efficiency apartments for permanent, supervised housing for formerly chronically homeless adults,” Marble explained.

To help in this effort, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci will be the featured guest at the Hike to End Homelessness kickoff at 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 31, at the shelter on the corner of Cedar and Main streets in Bangor.

Also participating will be community business representatives Les Titus, John Parcak and Ken Peters, who have been helpful in planning the annual hikes.

Hike leader Andrick was a member of one of the committees working with the governor’s Task Force on Homelessness and Housing Opportunities.

That group examined the 33 percent increase in the use of homeless shelters in Maine during the last few years and the fact that 55 percent of the homeless have either mental health or substance abuse problems or both.

Part of the attempt “to stay consistent with folks in attempting to reduce those numbers,” Andrick explained, “is to get people into more permanent housing,” which is what the proposed apartments would provide.

Some of the hikers will camp out the night before the hike at Hidden Spring Campground in Millinocket, then gather at 5:30 a.m. Aug. 3 at Togue Pond to begin their climb up the highest of the Appalachian peaks.

They will take Saddle Trail, “which is one of the tougher climbs,” Andrick said of the 11.2-mile roundtrip route. “But I’ve got a good crew going with me, and some of the same people from before. It’s always a lot of fun.”

All donations to help lift the spirits of the homeless and the hikers are most gratefully appreciated.

For more information about how you can help, call the shelter at 947-0092.

The Ellsworth Public Library invites you to celebrate the first book by local businessman Jack Weidner during a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, in the Riverview Room of the library at 20 State St.

“A Question of Honor” is an espionage thriller focusing on an unexplained drive-by shooting on Ellsworth’s High Street during the era of Germany’s Third Reich in the ’30s and ’40s.

Weidner will read from and discuss his novel; refreshments will be served following his presentation; and he will sign copies of the book for those who buy one.

The 13th annual Summer Fair sponsored by St. Francis by the Sea Episcopal Church is 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Blue Hill Consolidated School in downtown Blue Hill.

Donations for fair booths will be gratefully received until the last moment, and all you need do is call Ellen Anthony, 374-2717, or the church, 374-5200, if you would like to make a contribution.

Among the items available at the Silent Auction will be a painting by the late Blue Hill artist Frank Hamabe.

As is the custom for this event, fair proceeds will be divided between the church and a community partner.

This year’s community beneficiary is the Peninsula Ambulance Corps, which will receive half the profits from the fair.

PAC members will be on hand the day of the fair to show you one of their vehicles.

With a wide range of featured items from the Hamabe painting to an old pump organ, works of art and other antiques, you will also find children’s games, face painting and an orienteering course to entertain the youngsters.

If you’re hungry, enjoy the good food offered by the Gentleman Grillers or at the Sandwich Bar. And, throughout the day, enjoy the keyboard music of Gerald Wheeler.

So, to help the church and the PAC, circle Aug. 8 on your calendar, make a donation, or plan to attend the St. Francis by the Sea Summer Fair.

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