“Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise.”

— Anonymous

Those mentioned here, by their extended hands of help to those in need, are the living proof that the aforementioned quote is being fulfilled every day and every month. They are the helping hands of: Marion Orr, Karin Olson, Germaine Dumas, Stephan and Grete Palermo, Maurice and Toni Maloney, Richard and Cornelia Sawyer, Fran Halamandaris, Valery Scanlon, Sue Hillman and Bev Haid, James and Susan Marcotte Sr., Ruth Gallant, Al and Anne Daigle, Mary Rachel Bernier, Ron and Rachel Bolduc, Joseph and Doris Buonomo, Ann Marie and Mary Kenney, Ron and Patti Harwood, Al and Bernadette Coulombe, Andrew and Jeanette Michaud, John and Elaine Marino, Patrice Wood and family, Paul and Linda Simonsen, Marie Anita Rose, Richard and Marilyn Roelofs, Katherine Grondin, David Bronson, Lucette Valentino, Deborah Chwalek, Grace Lashua, William and Helen Carey, John and Marsha Reynolds, Deanna Kaplan, Joseph and Janet Dumont, Helen Fecteau, Lucille Reed, Lorraine Jones, Sylvia Searle and Anne King.

We thank all at our houses of worship; Trinity Episcopal, First Parish and North Saco Congregational, Unitarian Universalist of Saco and Biddeford, Cornerstone Methodist, Bible and United Baptist, Most Holy Trinity, St. Demetrious and St. Augustine Churches.

We also recognize and thank: The Bull Dog Café in OOB, B&M Beans Portland, Saco Community Garden, Saco Book Discussion Group, First Parish Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship, Altrusa Club of Biddeford-Saco, Saco River Valley Kiwanis Club, Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution, Southern Maine Health Care Auxiliary Gift Shop, The Thornton Academy Powder Puff League, York County Community Hebrew School, Sure Winner Foods, Shaw’s Saco, Saco Hannaford, Hair Works, Fernleaf Bakery, Little Wonders Day Care, an anonymous Biddeford Hannaford shopper, one of our clients for their support, and this newspaper.

As we stand to honor Marsha Reynolds and Roger Van Ghent, with heads bowed we remember Dr. J. Edward Whelan, Henrietta Domingue and Dominic Poli.

Because you and our volunteers care, 553 people last month were able to travel that extra mile. Because you and others care, 14 families, or 39 people (mostly workers), visited the pantry at night on the last Tuesday of June, thus allowing those to work extra hours during this season, thereby also helping their families walk that extra mile. To all those mentioned, those who remain anonymous standing in the shadows and on behalf of the over 50 volunteers acting in your stead, thank you. May all and your families find good health, sunshine, gentle breezes and God’s blessings.

Bob Nichols

Saco