STATEWIDE

THE GRAND LODGE OF MASONS in Maine conducts Child Identification Programs free of charge to the public. The program consists of performing digital fingerprints, photos and video, as well as taking a DNA sample. All this data is transferred to a compact disc. A printout is provided, along with two identification cards that the parents can carry with them. The information is for the parents’ safekeeping. For additional information on the program, visit www.mechip.org or contact your local Masonic Lodge for program times and locations.

Additional Photos

Aaron Gallant, Liam Wade and Danielle Morency get ready to climb the ropes course at The Leadership School at Kieve. Courtesy photo

THE FRESH AIR FUND’S Volunteer Host Family program is looking for families to host New York City children from underprivileged communities. Fresh Air children on first-time visits to host families are 6 to 12 years old and stay for one to two weeks.  For more information, contact Suzanne Barr at 885-9840 or visit www.freshair.org.

PORTLAND

PROJECT FEED, an emergency food pantry serving greater Portland, needs a skilled volunteer to serve as its executive director. The organization has been run entirely by volunteers since 1975 and distributes more than 60,000 emergency grocery meals a year. The executive director position works with a board of directors and a volunteer coordinator to recruit, train and supervise 35 volunteers; manage pantry operation; coordinate community relations and fundraising; do recordkeeping and reporting, and maintain internal and external communications. For more information or to send a letter of application, contact jamesperley@gmail.com.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY 4-H is one of 12 agricultural education projects to receive funding generated by the agricultural license plate sales. This project allows teachers and youth the opportunity to study science behind the incubation process by hatching and brooding their own chicks. This spring, classrooms from Yarmouth, Raymond, Portland, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Hollis and New Gloucester participated, with 170 children and 24 volunteers.

YARMOUTH

BOY SCOUT TROOP 35 has announced the advancement to the rank of Eagle Scout by five graduating seniors of the Yarmouth High School Class of 2010. Troop 35 will award Ian Carle, Kevin Russell, Sam Peterson, Phillip Low and Ethan Gray scholarships at the Senior Awards Assembly. Each Eagle must design, plan, execute and document a community service project. Russell led the restoration of the one-room schoolhouse at Sligo Road, Carle designed and reconstructed trails and walking bridges in the Bayview Estuary, Peterson worked on Pratt’s Brook Park, Gray worked on the Frank M. Knight Park, and Lowe designed and constructed a bird blind in the Bayview Estuary.

FREEPORT

MIDDLE SCHOOL students recently participated in a three-day Leadership School at Kieve. The school at Kieve has been operating for 28 years and is fully endorsed by Susan Gendron, state commissioner of education. More information about The Leadership School can be found at www.theleadershipschool.org or by calling 563-6212.

COASTAL STUDIES FOR GIRLS is graduating its inaugural class. The school is the country’s first residential science and leadership semester school for high school girls. Pam Erickson, executive director of the school, said the first class, with students from seven states, has set the standard for future attendees. The specific focus on science and leadership inspired regional Time Warner Cable to make a $100,000 multi-year grant to support the science program. The grant has been issued as a challenge to the school to raise matching funds for scholarships for students in Maine and major metropolitan areas. For more information, visit www.coastalstudiesforgirls.org.

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