WELLS

Kent Kellar, Jake Lareau given citizenship awards

Gabrielle Bruns, a member of Girl Scout Troop No. 140 of Buxton, with the 64 pillows that were created for a “Pillows for Patients” campaign she oversaw as part of a scouts community service project. Courtesy Darlene Bruns

Wells High School student athletes Kent Kellar and Jake Lareau were selected by administrators for this year’s Western Maine Conference’s Citizenship Award. This award is sponsored by the Western Maine Conference, whose member high schools are in York, Cumberland, Oxford and Androscoggin counties.

Seamus McDonough wins Maine Principal’s Award

Wells High School senior Seamus McDonough has been selected to receive the 2016 Maine Principal’s Award.

Sponsored by the Maine Principals Association, the award recognizes McDonough’s academic achievements and citizenship. Each year one senior from each Maine high school is selected by their school for this recognition.

McDonough is a member of the National Honor Society. He has been named as a National Merit Commended Scholar as well as an AP Scholar with Distinction. He has served as a Senate page in Washington, D.C., and participated in Boys State as governor. He was one of two Maine delegates at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C.

McDonough is a member of the WHS math team and co-founder of the school’s Political Affairs Club.

SACO

Thornton senior Abby Runnells scholarship semifinalist

Abby Runnells, a Thornton Academy senior, has been named a semifinalist in the 47th annual national Washington Crossing Foundation scholarship competition.

The award is granted to high school seniors who show leadership traits among those dedicated to public service, and for their presentations explaining why they are planning careers in government.

Library, museum given $25,000 for energy challenge

Saco&Biddeford Savings recently donated $25,000 to the Dyer Library and Saco Museum in support of their energy conservation challenge.

The funds will enable the library and museum to replace their inefficient heating and cooling systems with state-of-the-art geothermal systems.

Grange No. 53 gets award to finance multiple repairs

Saco Grange No. 53 has been awarded $14,850 from the Maine Community Foundation’s Belvedere Historic Preservation Grant Program to assist with repairs to the Grange hall.

This is the second grant given to the Saco Grange in as many years through the Belvedere program.

The funding will finance roof and chimney flashing replacement and installation of insulation in the attic. All construction was planned and coordinated by Grange members, who also raised funds to help cover expenses.

BIDDEFORD-DAYTON

Consolidated School kids donate to emergency room

Dayton Consolidated School’s fourth and fifth grade students recently participated in a project to make emergency visits to the hospital a little less scary.

Children who go to the emergency department at Southern Maine Health Care will receive a new book or toy to ease their fear.

SMHC Development Specialist Lee Cote said: “I was so impressed by the Dayton Consolidated School students’ generosity and their willingness to make this sort of donation to help our pediatric patients”

The students made bookmarks and sold them as part of their One Bookmark Matters campaign. They raised more than $315 and voted to purchase books and toys to donate to SMHC.

BELFAST

Tanner Carson state winner of Bonnie Plants contest

Tanner Carson, a third-grade student at Captain Albert Stevens Elementary, is the state winner of the National Bonnie Plants cabbage contest.

Carson won a $1,000 education savings bond from the seed company for a 28-pound cabbage that he grew.

TOPSHAM

Donald Russell given Sarah Whitten Community Award

Resident Donald Russell has been awarded the Sarah Whitten Community Award during a ceremony at the Topsham Public Library.

Whitten Society members and special guests honored Russell as the second recipient of the award, given by the Topsham Public Library Board of Trustees to recognize his outstanding service to the library and the community.

Russell has been a part of the community for nearly 80 years. He has served as chairman on the Board of Selectmen, the Planning Board, School Administrative District 75 Board of Directors, Local Redevelopment Authority for the Topsham Navy Annex, Sagadahoc Budget Advisory Committee and the Board of Assessment Review.

WINDHAM

Grant to provide wilderness first-aid training for 19

Pine Tree Search and Rescue, a member of the Maine Association for Search and Rescue, will be able to give wilderness first-aid training for 19 members thanks to a grant received from the Maine Community Foundations, Savoy/Simpson Search and Rescue Fund.

The training will be conducted at the Mahoosuc Mountain Lodge in Newry April 16 and 17. Participants will get a three-year wilderness first-aid certification from Wilderness Medical Associates. To learn more, visit www.mainecf.org.

PORTLAND

Foundation gives Island Institute $3,500 award

The People’s United Community Foundation has awarded $3,500 to the Island Institute.

The Island Institute works to sustain Maine’s island and remote coastal communities and exchanges ideas and experiences to further the sustainability of the communities locally and abroad.

The grant is expected to fund the Island Scholars Network to support and give guidance and advice to students and their parents about post-secondary educational options.

The award brings the total given by People’s United Community Foundation to the organization to more than $44,000.

Center for Grieving Children gets $8,475 United Way grant

The Center for Grieving Children has been awarded a one-year grant from United Way of York County totaling $8,475.

This investment supports a volunteer-led, community-based model that improves the quality of life for grieving children and families in York County.

To learn more, go to www.buildcommunity.org or call 985-3359.

BUXTON

Gabrielle Bruns given Silver Award for pillow project

Gabrielle Bruns, a member of Girl Scout Troop No. 140, Buxton, has earned the organization’s Silver Award for her community service work to provide cancer patients with a little comfort during treatment.

Bruns was recognized for her work on the “Pillows for Patients” initiative to create 64 pillows for cancer patients.

Bruns worked with mentor Dawn Palmer to determine the pillow design, create a prototype and then teach others to construct the pillows.

Materials to make the pillows were donated by local businesses and community supporters.

The pillows were delivered to cancer treatment centers in southern Maine

SANFORD

Strategies for Stronger Sanford gets $29,690 award

The United Way of York County 2016 Community Investments has awarded funds totaling $29,690 to support four programs under the umbrella of Strategies for a Stronger Sanford.

Those programs are Sanford Backpacks, Fresh Food for Sanford, The Right Brain Club Summer Enrichment Program and the Sanford Police Cadets.

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