S. Portland ‘Bottle Man’ honored by Maine Legislature

Sam Rideout of South Portland received a Legislative Sentiment on Feb. 7 for his volunteer work on behalf of Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital.

Sam, who is 10 years old, has spent three years raising funds and donating toys for children at the Portland hospital, with $6,371 in gifts and donations delivered this past year. He is affectionately known around town as “Sam The Bottle Man” because he can be seen collecting returnable bottles in his yellow bottle man sweatshirt.  

A Legislative Sentiment is a significant expression given by the Maine Legislature for individual, civic or organizational accomplishments or other important events.

“I am inspired by Sam’s empathy for others, his kindness, determination  and work ethic and that he and his family make our world all the brighter,” said state Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, who welcomed Sam and his family to the Maine Senate earlier this month. 

Greely students participate in Black History Month

In recognition of Black History Month, members of the Greely fifth-grade Civil Rights Team marched to Prince Memorial Library in Cumberland, where they delivered bookmarks celebrating African Americans, heard a poem by Langston Hughes, and met with members of the Maine Adminstrative School District 51 Board of Directors. The following students participated: Lydia Njitoh, Lexi Ingliss, Keenan Barry, Owen McAllister, Josh Galvan, Declan O’Connell, Kyra Vanni, Sam Waterhouse and Katie Brown, along with staffers Ali Waterhouse and Katie Campbell.

Catholic students are ‘souper’ at caring

Young Catholics from around Maine had two reasons to celebrate on Feb. 3: a sixth world championship for the Patriots and a wildly successful “Souper” Bowl of Caring.

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The event, held Feb. 2-3, saw youth collecting money and food items at several Maine parishes, with 100 percent of the donations set for delivery to local charities that help tackle hunger in the community.

The young people collected over $13,000 and hundreds of food items at weekend Masses. The totals and beneficiaries at local parishes were:

All Saints Parish, Brunswick – $2,175 and food items for the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick, Bath Food Pantry, the ecumenical food pantry in Newcastle, the Waldoboro Food Pantry, the Richmond Food Pantry, and the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.

St. Bartholomew Parish, Cape Elizabeth – $1,247.45 to Judy’s Pantry in Cape Elizabeth.

St. Gregory Church, Gray – $695 to the Gray Community Food Pantry and the New Gloucester Food Pantry.

Good Shepherd Parish, Saco – $4,328.60 to purchase sleeping bags rated for sub-zero temperatures for the homeless.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, Scarborough – $1,247.45 to Scarborough Food Pantry.

St. John & Holy Cross Parish, South Portland – $1,247.45 to South Portland Food Cupboard.

Several members of the fifth-grade Civil Rights team at Greely Middle School participated in Black History Month activities in Cumberland. Sam Rideout of South Portland, AKA “The Bottle Man,” received a Legislative Sentiment on Feb. 7 for his volunteer work. Shown with Sam are his family and Rebecca Millet, D-Cape Elizabeth, center.


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