Grants for kids available

LEWISTON — The Lewiston Auburn Children’s Foundation is now accepting grant requests for the 2012 fiscal year. The foundation annually awards grants to individuals and organizations whose programs directly benefit children in the Lewiston Auburn community.

Some past grant recipients were Safe Voices, the Lewiston and Auburn Public Libraries’ Book Reach Program, Tree Street Youth Program, the Lewiston High School program to help homeless students, the Early Learning Center of Pathways and the Trinity Jubilee Center.

Submit requests no later than Oct. 15 to the Lewiston Auburn Children’s Foundation, P.O. Box 7155, Lewiston, Maine 04243-7155. For further information, call Gretchen Rosen at 782-9442.

Supply drive aids B&G Club

LEWISTON — The fifth annual Staples for Students national school supply drive is ongoing through Sept. 15. The drive encourages young people to collect school supplies and drop them off at their nearest Staples store, 855 Lisbon St.

All school supplies and donations will be given locally to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine to ensure they get into the hands of disadvantaged youth just in time for the new school year.

‘Hot Pursuit’ 5K is Sept. 8

BRUNSWICK — Once again the Brunswick Police Benefit Association will host the fourth running of the “Hot Pursuit” 5K Road Race on Sept. 8.

All of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to support the local law enforcement college scholarship program as well as the Maine Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors. The chapter provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.

Donations may be made payable to the Brunswick Police Benefit Association and mailed to Russ Wrede; Race Director. For further information, call 725-5521, ext. 107.

‘Let’s Move —  Back to School’

AUBURN — (with pic LCOjlibby081712) Jonathan Libby, nurse practitioner from Pediatric Associates, will be the guest speaker at the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA’s “Let’s Move-Back to School” family event on Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 to 11 a.m. at the YMCA.

Libby will discuss how parents can get their children on a healthy track for the school year through nutrition and exercise. The Y received a grant from the Walmart Foundation for $25,000 to work with childhood obesity through the national program “Let’s Move,” an initiative of the First Lady Michelle Obama.

The “Let’s Move” program helps child adopt new healthy living standards that include offering fruits, vegetables and water at snack time, increasing the amount of exercise and limiting video games and television for children in the program.

Parents may drop their children off in the Y’s gym where kids will have the opportunity to play a fun game and afterwards learn how to pack a healthy lunch. Class and materials are free of charge. To register contact the Y at 795-4095.

Golf ball drop raises $10K

LEWISTON — Under whirling helicopter blades, golf balls dropped over a target offered excitement for potential winners at Central Maine Medical Center’s second annual Arbor House Helicopter Ball Drop. This unique fundraiser, hosted by the CMMC Associates Volunteer Program and held on June 18, raised more than $10,300.

About 340 raffle tickets were sold representing numbered golf balls, and then dropped onto a target from high above. Ticket levels were $50 for a chance in 100 to win $1,500; $20 for a chance in 400 to win $1,000; and $10 for a chance in 700 to win $500. The winners were Kelvin Youland of Turner, $1,500; CMMC Associate Anthony D’Andrea of Sabattus, $1,000; and CMMC employee Kim Herschaft of Auburn, $500.

A silent auction of items donated by CMMC Associate volunteers and local businesses raised nearly $1,800. More than 60 people enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and the auction during the social time followed by the helicopter ball drop.

The CMMC Arbor House – at no cost to guests – is a place to call “home” for those dealing with the hospitalization of a family member. For more information, contact Central Maine Medical Center’s Development Office at 795-2950 or email giving@cmmc.org.