Grange inveils SAD 4 Santa Project
PARKMAN — The members of Parkman Grange have formally announced the formation of the SAD 4 Santa Project 2015. “We know there are families in our area that are going to need a little help from Santa this year,” announced Susan Manchester, master of the Grange. “We’ve actually been working for several months now on a program that will help Santa provide for our kids.”
The Grange began making inquiries and efforts in August after learning that the local Penquis office would no longer be coordinating the former Piscataquis Santa Program. Several Grange members made a trip to Windsor to pick up their share of donations from the United Bikers of Maine Toy Run in September.
Manchester is confident they’ll be able to meet the needs of the communities within SAD 4: Abbot, Cambridge, Guilford, Parkman, Sangerville and Wellington. “We decided to base our program on the school district because other organizations are organizing their programs using similar criteria. But that doesn’t mean we will only consider school-aged children. We hope to include children from newborns through high school seniors.”
The focus of the program is on providing warm clothing, but Grangers hope to include at least one toy or item of particular interest to the child. “This will really be a community effort,” Manchester said. “The Abner-Wade Lodge of Masons is also participating and will be providing turkeys and all the fixings for a holiday meal. Many other community organizations are supporting the program, but that certainly doesn’t mean we will refuse any offers of help.”
Families seeking assistance may pick up applications from the local schools or town offices. Manchester noted that the deadline for returning applications is Nov. 25. “Santa will need some time to get everything together!” The Grange plans to distribute gifts on Dec. 20.
Those interested in helping Santa may write checks payable to Parkman Grange, noting “Santa Project” on the memo line and mailing to P.O. Box 114, Guilford, ME 04443. For more information about donating or applying, call Manchester at 277-3942.