WINDHAM – In winter, Windham can boast the popular Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby. In June, thousands flock to Windham Summerfest. Between those two huge events, however, there’s a lull in the action.

But this year, the first Octoberfest breaks those fall doldrums by taking to the streets of North Windham in an effort to bring the community together for a “free family fun day” complete with free helicopter rides, music bands, eating contests and a chili/chowder challenge.

The main event at Octoberfest, taking place from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, is the final counting for the Community Coin Challenge. The fundraiser is the brainchild of Sheri Huff, a longtime Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce member and part owner of Lee Family Trailer Sales and Service in Windham. The challenge, kicked off 10 weeks ago at an event at Windham Weaponry, has sought donations from the public via jars located in area stores. All proceeds go to food pantries in the Chamber’s 10 towns around Sebago Lake.

So far, the coin challenge has raised more than $5,500, with many more donations expected to roll in on Saturday, Huff reports.

“People are giving their coins, the jars are getting filled, and they’re rapidly starting to come in now,” she said. “Also, on Saturday, the counting is from 2-6 p.m. and we’ll be taking donations from any individual or business who would like to support this cause, please come. And it doesn’t have to be coins, they can write a check.”

Huff said there’s no better time than now to support local food pantries.

“At Lee’s Family, we’ve always been fortunate to have food on our table and a nice roof over our heads,” she said. “So when you talk to families who lost their job suddenly or someone in the family got sick and they didn’t have banked money, they have to go to food pantries to keep food on the table. One in four children in Maine are going hungry, so that’s a sad thing.”

Huff is amazed at the interest generated in the fundraising drive, which culminates with Octoberfest, a block party of sorts taking place in business parking lots stretching from Buck’s Naked BBQ to Lee’s Auto on Route 302 in North Windham.

“The 10 towns in the Chamber have really stepped up to the plate, and it just shows how small towns can come together to support people in need,” she said. “Over the last 10 weeks, a lot of great things have come out of this. There are 32 businesses who have stepped up to do things at no charge. People have just stepped up from all over the 10 towns and said, we want to help, we want to show our support for a great cause.”

Debbie Wardwell, clients service manager at Key Bank in North Windham and a member of the Community Coin Challenge Committee, a subcommittee of the Chamber, said the pantries are the focal point of Saturday’s gala.

“It’s a very good cause because there are so many people who go hungry, and we just don’t realize it, and it’s now more than ever,” Wardwell said. “The food pantries are being used more and we’re not replenishing them as much as they’re needed. If you’re not in need, it’s not at the forefront for you, so you do need this reminder, that hey, I’ve been blessed so I need to give back to people that haven’t been.”

Windham Weaponry, which opened last year re-employing dozens of workers let go by Bushmaster Firearms in 2010, is heavily involved in the Challenge. Executive Vice President of Operations Allen Faraday said the event strikes a chord with the company.

“This is very important to our employees, who have so recently all been out of work and many on unemployment, so it’s an issue that’s close to our hearts and we really hope that the whole community comes together to support this great program,” he said.

Jennifer White, owner of A Joyful Noise Christian Daycare & Learning Center, which is one of the host sites for Octoberfest, is involved with many outreach efforts and is impressed with the enthusiasm of this one.

“I’m just really impressed by the caliber of business people who have stepped up to help,” she said. “It’s been a great experience so far. I’ve always been one who likes to connect people and do community service projects. This is really nice and takes it to a whole new level.”

White will also accept coats as part of her annual Keep ME Warm coat drive. The coats will then be given to clothes closets in the 10 communities the Chamber serves.

And Windham Weaponry, on board from the start, is allowing the use of owner Richard Dyke’s helicopter to give free rides from 2-4 p.m.

The coin challenge and Octoberfest, both events being planned by the Sebago Lakes Chamber, also prove that the Chamber can come together and support a major event that benefits all member communities, said President Cheryle Nielsen-Pesce.

“The motivation is dual,” she said. “Obviously, raising money for the food banks is desperately needed this time of year, and this is the first time we’ve actually drawn all 10 towns of the Chamber into an event. The benefits of that are showing all 10 towns what the Chamber is doing for the community and why it would be important for them to join the membership in the Chamber. We need to do more of this, honestly.”

Huff, who has done radio shows promoting Saturday’s event, is pleased with the support and hopes people turn out Saturday with plenty of cash (not food) donations in hand.

“The needs of the pantries are immense,” Huff said. “A lot of people think about food, but if you think outside the box, people [who use food pantries] have pets so they need pet food. It’s also shampoos, conditioners, soap. It’s razors. It’s sanitation needs such as diapers, laundry detergent, toilet paper. It’s things a lot of people don’t think about that are everyday needs that we take for granted. So the donations will go to buy useful things like that, too.”

Dan Hancock, a member of the challenge committee and an employee at Gorham Savings Bank, which has been accepting donations in a special account prior to the final reconciliation on Saturday, said turnout has been good for those already making deposits at the bank.

“We’ve been getting a pretty steady amount of foot traffic, and it’s from a lot of different sources, which is nice to see a diverse group like that participating,” Hancock said.

“It’s everything from little kids that are saving some of their spare change to business that have had several jars full, and individuals, families, businesses and community groups.”

Like Nielsen-Pesce, Hancock said the challenge and Octoberfest is a large undertaking, but one worth pursuing and turning into annual events.

“It’s the first thing that we’ve done in a long time to pull all of the 10 communities of the chamber together. And it’s been a nice response. It’s something we want to and need to do more of,” he said.