DAMARISCOTTA

Grant will help fund exhibit on Frances Perkins’ legacy

The Frances Perkins Center has received a $4,276 grant from the Lincoln County Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to launch the Frances Perkins Traveling Exhibit.

“Frances Perkins is one of America’s greatest heroes,” said Michael Chaney, executive director of the Perkins Center. “This grant will help us teach school-age children about Perkins’ legacy of social justice and economic security for all.”

The exhibit will include five pull-up panels interpreting Perkins’ legacy, as well as a video featuring work from prominent scholars. It targets middle and high school students.

Perkins, the first woman to serve in a U.S. cabinet position, had deep roots in Maine. During her time as Franklin D. Roosevelt’s secretary of labor, she regularly returned to her family estate in Newcastle, the place she called home.

Founded in 2008, the Frances Perkins Center preserves Perkins’ legacy by working with historians, biographers and other scholars to educate the public about her life and achievements.

For more details, call 207-563-3374 or email info@francesperkinscenter.org.

WELLS

Student honored for work with people with disabilities

Wells Junior High School eighth-grader Sarah Shackford has been recognized for volunteer service with the school’s Bridges Program, where she assists staff and special education students with disabilities.

Principal Robert Griffin presented a certificate of appreciation to Shackford. Shackford’s parents, Pamela and Dennis Shackford, attended the presentation.

“She’s put in four years of volunteer service in helping with the Bridges Program,” Dennis Shackford said. “Anything they’ve asked her, she’s done.” Pam Shackford said her daughter’s volunteerism goes back to her elementary school days. Both believe she will continue volunteering in the Bridges Program at Wells High School in the fall.

“Sarah’s calm presence puts the students at ease in the Bridges room,” education teacher Lauren Rivera said. “She is always willing to help out in any way possible. She truly makes a better day for all that come into contact with her.”

The Bridges Program is for students with significant disabilities who are not able to access the regular curriculum, says special education team leader Eric Hopkins, who nominated Shackford for the award.

SACO

Parish collects backpacks to assist needy children

What began as a project to help local foster children in need of school supplies has grown into an initiative that is assisting hundreds of students as far away as Kenya.

“We started this project with one audience in mind, but we soon discovered there were other groups that could benefit from our work,” said Bonnie Buechs, chairwoman of the Social Justice & Peace Commission at Good Shepherd Parish.

The backpack initiative collects new, unisex backpacks and school supplies for distribution to area children in need in first through fifth grade. Parishioners and community members are encouraged to drop off the materials at any of the parish’s four churches in boxes marked “Backpacks and Supplies.”

In 2016, more than 80 filled backpacks were distributed to state foster care social workers, Lyman Elementary School and the York County Shelter. Extra supplies were given to Dayton Elementary. Last year, the campaign filled 180 backpacks, including 50 given to state foster care social workers, 15 to Seeds of Hope and more than 50 filled backpacks to help children in Kenya.

The collection for this year’s backpacks is now underway at the four Good Shepherd Parish churches, with distribution set for late August. For a complete list of needed items, call Good Shepherd Parish at 282-3321.

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