UMaine Rallies Volunteers for Holiday Giving

Contact: George Manlove, 581-3756

ORONO — In what may be an unprecedented coalescence of volunteer groups at the University of Maine, students and employees have been responding to an unusually tight economy by raising money, collecting food and gifts and volunteering time on behalf of area families stressed by tough economic conditions.

Dozens of organizations have been rallying hundreds of members and friends on and off campus to contribute when and how they are able. The majority of the proceeds, gifts, food or support will go to people and families served by Manna Ministries or its affiliated food pantries and kitchens, but some will benefit UMaine employees and retirees, organizers say.

A list of campus efforts is here:

The

Bodwell Center for Service & Volunteerism is partnering with Crossroads Ministries and The Wilson Center for its annual Holiday Sharing Program. Unwrapped gifts of no more than $25 in value can be dropped of at the Bodwell Center on the third floor of the Memorial Union. The longstanding program provides area families with an outlet for gifts and needed items to give to their children in December. Last year, the center provided for more than 300 area children. Volunteers anticipate a higher number this year because of higher unemployment and the shrinking economy.

Gift ideas include: hooded sweatshirts of all sizes, polar fleece throws, scarves, hats and mittens; bath and body kits or makeup and shaving supplies; arts supplies; stuffed animals; movie passes, DVD movies or video games; gift cards; socks of all colors and sizes; desk lamps; bedding or twin electric blankets; sports watches; action figures; and dolls and accessories. For more information, call Craig DeForest at 581-1796.

Printing Services & Mailing Services

personnel are collecting personal care items as a part of Neighbor Helping Neighbor, under the auspices of Manna Ministries.

Members of the university community are being asked to reach out to friends and neighbors to support those who are economically stressed or have lost jobs and need assistance, moral support and understanding. The printing service is asking people to donate new, unused personal care and personal hygiene items at its offices in the Keyo Building on Rangeley Road, next to University Credit Union, or at the University Bookstore.

Personal care items include: toothpaste, toothbrush, dental floss, antiperspirant, moisturizing lotion, lip balm, soap or body wash, sponges or washcloths, shaving cream, men’s and women’s razors, band aids or first aid kits, 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner, Q-Tips, tissues and toilet tissue, combs and brushes, baby care products, clean new undergarments and clean, new socks.

For more information about the Personal Care Item Drive, please contact Kim Sawtelle or Kate McPherson at Printing Services, 581-3768, on First Class, or at printing_services.umit.maine.edu.

The Classified Employee Scholarship Committee

(CESC) is again selling its popular double-sided wreaths for $17 and, new this year, 12-inch wreath table centerpieces with a 3-inch red candle votives for $10 to generate scholarship funds for dependents of UMaine’s classified employees. The wreaths and centerpieces are being made by Chemistry Department administrative assistant Jean Desrochers.

The committee also is selling homemade pumpkin, apple and strawberry rhubarb pies as part of the fundraising.

The wreaths, centerpieces and pies will be delivered on the Monday before Thanksgiving. For more information or to place an order, contact Amy Goode at 581-2321 or at amy.goode@umit.maine.edu.

The UMaine Student Athlete Advisory Committee recently collected more than 700 cans for the Crossroads Resource Center in Old Town during its Halloween “Trick or Eat Food Drive.” Members of the women’s soccer team, volleyball team, women’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s swimming and diving participated. Team members went trick or treating on Halloween, but collected canned goods instead of candy.

Advisory committee members also will collect Toys for Tots at upcoming basketball and hockey games. And on Thanksgiving Day, members of the women’s basketball team — 10 players and four coaches — will be serving dinner at the Bangor Homeless Shelter. For more information, contact Brandi Rideout, student athlete services coordinator, at (207) 581-1828.

UMaine Circle K

, a student community service organization operating under the auspices of Kiwanis International, is collecting money for its third annual “Turkey Hunt Challenge 2008.” The club is challenging all student organizations and Greek Life to donate $10 to buy a turkey for a needy family in the Greater Bangor Area this Thanksgiving. Drop by the Turkey Hunt table in the ground floor of the Memorial Union through Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., to donate, or contact Danielle Young or Meghan Butler via FirstClass and set up a time and place to drop off donations. The drive will benefit Manna Ministries. Young says the club wants to raise at least $350 to buy at least 35 turkeys.

Campus Crusade for Christ Food Drive

collected non-perishable foods earlier this month for Manna Ministries and the Crossroads food pantries. In exchange for items donated, participants received a raffle ticket for prizes including gift certificates for Irving Oil stations; Ampersand The Store; UMaine Student Recreation and Fitness Center; Harvest Moon deli; Margarita’s restaurant; Pat’s Pizza; The Governor’s’; Spotlight Cinemas; a day pass at the Old Town-Orono YMCA; and bowling. The goal was to collect 10,000 pounds of food before Thanksgiving. Alvin Winslow (827-1240) is the contact person for Campus Crusade.

Classified Employees Advisory Council

president Robin Arnold (581-2398) is working on plans to create a permanent food pantry and thrift shop on campus. As part of their effort, volunteers are collecting food items to create 10 baskets for Thanksgiving or for December holidays to go to UMaine employees or retirees in need. Arnold says volunteers are coming forth from employee groups, with plenty of support and participation from UMaine student organizations.

For more information about Manna Ministries, Inc., headquartered at 629 Main St. in Bangor, call 207-990-2870 or visit its website (www.mannamaine.com).

Also this year, UMaine’s College of Education and Human Development, in collaboration with the University Bookstore, is conducting its annual children’s book drive, a 31-year old program that has provided thousands of books for children and young adults to area youth through the Old Town-Orono Kiwanis Club.

The public is invited to donate unwrapped new books suitable for toddlers through teens to the office of college dean Anne Pooler at 151 Shibles Hall on the UMaine campus. University Bookstore is offering 25 percent discounts on any children’s books purchased there from Nov. 17 to Nov. 26. For information, contact Theresa McMannus at 581-2441.