What would we do without neighbors? They help in ways government cannot. They’re ever-present and can spot those telltale signs that things aren’t quite right. With this local spirit in mind and another Maine winter approaching, heating assistance is on the front burner for two Lakes Region charitable organizations.

On Halloween, the Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors Network will hold its largest fundraiser of the year: the Windham Community Benefit 5K Walk/Run, an event for the whole family. A few lucky school kids will even get to have lunch with Gov. John Baldacci.

WNHNN is joining forces with the Windham Lions Club for the 5K benefit. The route begins at Windham High School, takes a left on Windham Center Road and another left on Pope Road back to Route 202 before finishing at the high school. Take your pick: run or stroll leisurely with the family. And there will be plenty of activities for the kids.

“We want to make it involved for all levels as much as we can,” said Bill Diamond, president and founder of WNHNN. “There’ll be face painting, a jack-o’-lantern contest and costume judging.”

Local businesses are sponsoring many walkers and runners. The middle-schooler and high-schooler who raises the most pledge dollars will get to have lunch with the governor at the Blaine House at a later date.

“The governor is more than willing to do this,” said Diamond.

WNHNN began in October 2007, but The Windham Lions Club has been helping the community for nearly 50 years. As the upcoming event flier says: “When two community-focused groups in Windham get together, the winners are the town residents.”

Lions has a long history of promoting eye exams. Every June, the club sponsors an eye exam for every student at the Windham primary school. They also assist diabetics and donate to the food pantry. Back in the 1960s, the club actually provided the town of Windham with its very first emergency medical vehicle.

Windham Lions Club member Ed Fortier said the spirit of neighbor helping neighbor is alive and well today. “It’s a funny thing, but as the economy gets worse, people give more,” he said. “I think many realize that we’re all in the same boat; it’s nice to help each other.”

Instead of walking or running, Diamond and Fortier will be assisting at the event. Folks are needed help the police direct traffic, as well as to hand out water and cheer the thirsty walkers and runners.

The 5K walk/run has been held before. This year marks the second time the two organizations have partnered toward the same goal. To ensure things run smoothly, the runners will start first at 9:30 a.m. The walkers begin at 9:45.

Registration for each event is between 8 and 9 a.m. at the high school. Early registration will save a few dollars. Pre-registration for the 5K run is $12 ($15 on race day). Pre-registration for the 5K walk is $10 ($12 on walk day). Those walkers who raise $100 in pledges can walk for free. Children under 12 are free for both events.

The goal is to raise $15,000 for heating and food assistance for those Windham residents, Diamond said, “who have tried everything else.”

“Many in need simply don’t qualify or are in waiting,” Diamond said.

The impetus for forming Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors came in late 2007 when oil was at the $4-a-gallon mark and heading higher. As a local state senator, Diamond said he was inundated with phone calls from folks wondering how they were going to afford heating oil.

“I discovered the need was more widespread than anyone might have thought,” he said. “We do a thorough screening. Our job is to provide emergency assistance for those with nowhere else to turn.”

Diamond also echoes the point of the watchful neighbor: “Many times it’s not the recipient who calls but a neighbor who’s worried about them.”

For more information or if you’d like to sponsor or volunteer at the event, visit www.windhamneighbors.org/events, or call one of the WNHNN members: Rep. Mark Bryant: 892-6591; Sen. Bill Diamond: 892-8941; or Rep. Gary Plummer: 892-6088.

Checks also can be made out to Windham Benefit 5K, PO Box 448, Windham, ME 04062.

 

Don Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Raymond. He can be reached at: presswriter@gmail.com

 

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