Bike-a-thon to benefit Frannie Peabody Center for 26th year

SCARBOROUGH — On Monday, Oct. 8, at 9:30 a.m., Scarborough Middle School will hold its annual bike/walk-a-thon to raise money for the Frannie Peabody Center, Maine’s largest HIV/AIDS service organization.

The Ed Wimert Memorial Bike/Walk-a-thon for AIDS includes a 20-mile bike route and a six-mile walking route. Both routes start at the Clam Bake Restaurant parking lot on Pine Point Road.

In addition to the middle school, supporters of the bike/walk-a-thon include the Scarborough High School Student Council, the Scarborough High School Key Club, the Scarborough Police Department, Scarborough Explorers and parents of students.

Since 1986, the event has raised $190,000 for the center, which serves over 500 people living with HIV/AIDS and provides prevention services for at-risk populations.

The middle school is hoping for over 200 participants at this year’s event, and encourages parents and other community members to join the fun.

Teen volunteers in Ecuador and Galapagos Islands

SCARBOROUGH — Kelsey Given, of Scarborough, recently returned from a month of performing volunteer service in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.

Given was one of 21 high school students who traveled to Patate, Ecuador, this summer to help local organizations with social service projects. The students painted school classrooms, constructed a kiosk where resident artisans will sell tourist wares, and built a chicken coop that will enable a nursing home to obtain additional income and food.

The students also volunteered at a day camp for young children, and later traveled to the Galapagos Islands to help remove invasive plants that threatened a native habitat.

The project was coordinated by VISIONS Service Adventures, an international learning service program.