Ways to give abundant this season in Sebago Lakes Region

By Ed Pierce

Every year during the holidays, each of us are given many options to practice generosity and this year is no exception. Right here in the Sebago Lakes Region, Salvation Army bellringers are stationed outside Walmart, while many churches have special collections for charities and other causes. 

There are toy drives, food drives, bottle drives and a bevy of initiatives locally that benefit all aspects of the community. Whether it be sponsoring a family for Christmas through the “Adopt-A-Family Program” offered by The Windham Eagle and the Windham Maine Community Board or writing a check to Windham’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors heat homes of residents lacking heating fuel, there’s certainly no shortage of available opportunities to be generous this Christmas in Windham and Raymond.

Here’s a quick rundown of current agencies seeking help locally this year:   

** Food donations may be made to the Raymond Food Pantry at Lake Region Baptist Church, 1273 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond or by calling the church at 207-655-4334. Donations may also be made to the Windham Food Pantry, 8 School Road, Windham.  The Windham Lions Club is asking for help to Stuff a Bus with food from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Hannaford Supermarket in Windham. Food donations to help homeless veterans can be brought to the Windham Veterans Center, 35 Veterans Memorial Drive, behind Hannaford from 9 to 11 a.m. every Wednesday.

** Raymond Scout Troop 800 is having a Bottle drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Dec.  11 at the Raymond Village Community Church.  For bottle pick-up text 207-513-8570.  

**The Holiday Community Toy Drive to benefit The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center is underway at the following area businesses – Automotive Everything; Sebago Outfitters; Café Sebago; Sticky Bud Farms; Skin Medical Aesthetics; Forever Two Wheels; Windham Powersports; and Erik’s Church. The rules for that effort ask for new items in original packaging for children in categories such as arts and crafts; infant and baby toys and supplies; toys for toddlers and preschoolers; school-aged children’s toys; toiletries for children; and miscellaneous gifts for children.

** The U.S. Marines’ Toy for Tots drop-off locations are at Planet Fitness, 759 Roosevelt Trail, Windham and Sticky Bud Farms at 815 Roosevelt Trail, Unit 4, in Windham. The final day to donate toys to the program for distribution is Tuesday, Dec. 7. Financial donations are always welcome at www.toysfortots.org

** Windham Middle School has complied a wish list for families of students who need help this Christmas. For details or to help, send an email to Debby Rand Hall at dhall@rsu14.org  Each front office of all the RSU 14 schools has a Christmas wish list available for students and families in need and can be reached at Windham High School 892-1810; Windham Middle School 892-1820; Windham Primary School 892-1840; Manchester School 892-1830; Raymond Elementary School 655-8672; and Jordan-Small Middle School 655-4743.

** The deadline to drop off gifts for the Adopt-A-Family Program is Friday, Dec. 10. Gifts can be taken to Time4Printing at 588 Roosevelt Trail, Windham. <