The town of Clifton may be small in size, but it certainly is big in heart.

This Penobscot County community boasts a population of about 700 people, and many of them are now in the process of seeing to it that Gerald and Patti Folster and their two children have a home.

A fire on Sunday, June 8, destroyed their Scott Point Road home that they were planning to double in size.

Not only did they lose their home, but it was also uninsured.

I have spoken with several people who are actively involved in helping organize what could be best described as a “house-raising” for the Folster family, and I must say it certainly is a community undertaking that everyone can take pride in.

Brian Melvin told me there is a great deal of community support for this project and that opportunities to donate materials or participate in the actual building are available to anyone who wants to help.

“What we’re trying to do is draw up a material list for a 32-by-40 ranch house,” he explained.

The town of Clifton has offered the use of its recycling building, “as a storage area for the donated items,” which can range from 2-by-4s to plumbing, electrical and heating supplies, insulation, sheet rock, “or anything that goes into building a house,” he said.

Penny Peasley told me that a community meeting for all of those interested in offering to lend a helping hand, is planned for 6:30 tonight on the library-meeting room side of the Clifton Municipal Building on Route 9.

Whether it is providing materials, moving those materials from one location to another, offering to do plumbing, carpentry, roofing, wiring or providing food for volunteers, anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.

“We really need everything, and everyone to build this house from the foundation on up,” Peasley said.

Among the many fund-raisers to assist the family is a benefit supper with two seatings, one at 5 p.m. and the other at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Clifton Baptist Church on Route 9.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for children. All donations are welcome.

For more information about how you can help with the building project or help the Folster family, call Peasley at 843-5553.

With $1.5 million raised in pledges and gifts for the Harbor House Campaign for Facilities and Endowment, Harbor House Community Center has announced its campaign committee is hosting a community campaign kickoff celebration at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, at the far end of the Pemetic School ball field in Southwest Harbor.

The event features live music, free food and drinks, a special kickoff game and the unveiling of the campaign thermometer.

Scott Worcester is co-chairman of the campaign and, in addition to making several announcements at the event, he invites attendees to stay after the celebration and cheer on the Little League teams who are playing a 6 p.m. game.

The objective of the Harbor House capital campaign is to replace the old day care building with a new multipurpose facility; renovate the old schoolhouse building downtown; purchase more sailboats for the Community Sailing Center; and establish an endowment fund to help keep program fees low.

For 38 years this organization has been helping meet the sports, recreational, child care, health and fitness needs of residents of Southwest Harbor and Tremont.

For more information about its programs or how you can help with the capital campaign, call Harbor House executive director Marty Lyons, 244-3713, or e-mail hhouse@panax.com.

Donations are being accepted for a yard sale to benefit the restored, one-room James School in Presque Isle.

The sale is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, June 27, and Saturday, June 28, at 19 Maple St. in Presque Isle.

James School board member Mary Turner wrote that the public can help the organization in three ways: First, by dropping off items for the sale anytime between now and Thursday, June 26, at the address above; second, by making purchases at the sale and, third, by mailing a cash donation to James School in care of Pete McConnell, James School treasurer, 67 Pine St., Presque Isle 04769.

All proceeds from the sale, and other contributions, will benefit the maintenance fund of the restored, 1917, one-room schoolhouse.

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