BIDDEFORD — Newly sworn-in Governor Janet Mills is encouraging all Mainers to roll up their sleeves and participate in a statewide “Day of Service” on Saturday.

The Day of Service is intended to be a call to action to foster community and civic engagement, and is part of Mills promise to lead Maine in a new, better direction, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

The governor’s office has partnered with the Maine Commission of Community Service and several organizations to identify volunteer community service projects across the state

“Services comes in many forms — whether running for office, stepping up to volunteer, or working for the public good,” said Mills in a written statement. “This Saturday, I hope people across Maine will join me in coming together to demonstrate that we are willing to roll up our sleeves and get to work in leading Maine in a new, better direction by engaging in community service projects that will make us a happier, healthier, more prosperous state for today and tomorrow.”

Mills said that she will participate on a project on Saturday and will announce today which project she will be joining.

Those in York County who would like to participate in the Day of Service have opportunities in Biddeford and Wells.

The Heart of Biddeford and Biddeford Historical Society are asking community members to come downtown from noon to 3 p.m. to decorate vacant windows with displays that are artistic or celebrate Biddeford’s history. Other nonprofit organizations are welcome to join in and display their community service opportunities.

Delilah Poupore, Heart of Biddeford Executive Director, said that people should show up at the Heart of Biddeford office at 205 Main St., and volunteers will walk over to a location to decorate. There will a note on the door of the office with the location of the project for those who show up late.

The project is open to all ages and is family friendly. The local project ties into the governor’s goal of fostering community and civic engagement, Poupore said. Though Saturday’s event is a short-term project, she said he’s hoping it will help spark interest in volunteering as participants learn more about the city and opportunities for community service.

The Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve at 342 Laudholm Farm Road in Wells, is looking for volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist with renovating the coastal resource library and staff housing.

Volunteers should prepare for physical work both indoor and outside and wear layers, winter outerwear and warm footwear. Those interested in this project should contact Lynne Vachon at lynne@wellsnerr.org or 646-1555, ext. 118.

For more information on the day of service and other service opportunities across the state on Saturday, go to www.janetmills.com/dayofservice.

—Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or email egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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