BIDDEFORD

High school club donates toys for hospitalized kids

A hospital stay isn’t how most of us would prefer to spend the holidays but it’s especially hard for children who miss the excitement of Christmas morning and opening gifts at home.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the volunteer efforts of Biddeford High School’s Interact Club, children at Southern Maine Health Care (formerly Southern Maine Medical Center) received a new toy to brighten their day during the holidays.

Interact members also helped the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club purchase and wrap gift baskets for local families.

SMHC expanded grant supports health promotion

Southern Maine Health Care, a member of MaineHealth, recently accepted an expanded grant of $75,000 from MaineHealth to continue implementation of Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 as part of its mission to promote healthy communities.

SMHC is working with the Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 program to combat the childhood obesity epidemic and resulting chronic health issues.

The increased funds support Let’s Go! York County’s prevention efforts in an expanded service area due to the merger with Goodall Hospital that created SMHC.

The program now covers the Arundel, Biddeford, Buxton, Dayton, Hollis, Lyman, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Sanford, Springvale, Shapleigh, Alfred, Acton and Waterboro communities.

These partnerships involve supporting schools and early childhood education programs to offer healthy food and beverage options, provide opportunities to get physically active every day, and to limit recreational screen time.

Let’s Go! 5-2-1-0 is a nationally recognized childhood obesity prevention program that promotes healthy eating and physical activities.

For more details, call SMHC at 283-7232.

PORTLAND

Hospice Fund accepting grant applications

The Hospice Fund of the Maine Community Foundation is accepting applications for grants to support hospice programs in southern Maine, particularly those that provide volunteer and bereavement services in Cumberland and York counties.

Preference will be given to collaborative efforts among hospice programs and other community groups that enhance training, recognition, and/or recruitment of diverse volunteers; and innovative projects that raise awareness of hospice programs and other end-of-life services.

Applications must be postmarked by Feb. 15.

Organizations will be notified in May.

For complete guidelines and a list of last year’s grants, visit www.mainecf.org or call (877) 700-6800.