Pack 800 Doing Good Deeds

Raymond Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts have been busy this fall doing their best at serving their community. Recently conducting their annual Scouting for Food drive, the scouts collected 15 large boxes of assorted food items and two truckloads of bottles and cans, all of which tol be donated to the Raymond Food Pantry.

In addition, the Scouts spent a portion of their day last Saturday cleaning the interior and exterior of Raymond Village Community Church, their charter organization. The Cub Scout promise states, “I promise to do my best, to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people, and to obey the law of the pack.” Scouts and their parents are definitely keeping their promise as they dig in and work together to make Raymond a better place in which to live.

An Untraditional Christmas Gift for Honduras

In August 2008, 16 people from the Raymond Village Community Church will be traveling to Honduras. The purpose of this mission is to construct school rooms for the less privileged. While preparing to help the people of Honduras, church members have also been building upon their own personal strengths and commitment. Ongoing efforts have been made to help raise the $15,000 it will cost to participate in this mission.

While brainstorming fund-raising ideas, the idea was borne to have the youth singers record a CD, which could be sold to raise funds for the trip. Three of the families going to Honduras have children gifted with singing voices, so this seemed like a natural path to take. Despite their busy schedules, eight youth singers got together in September and continued practicing for the next several weeks. Songs were selected and rehearsed, and with the generous help of church volunteers, a CD was recorded. Church organist Donna Hurd offered her time and talent and accompanied the singers by playing the piano. Brian Walker provided his technical audio recording and mixing skills and produced the CD.

This unique CD has been named, “An Untraditional Christmas Gift,” as it has both holiday songs as well as songs that could be enjoyed year-round. These songs have been beautifully sung by church youth Ali and Cassi Gordan, Georgia and Marybeth Noonan, Lyzz Stevenson, Molly Keane-Dreyer, Olivia Latham and Rebecca Morris. Songs include “Day by Day,” “Here I Am Lord,” “Grown Up Christmas List,” and “Feliz Navidad,” as well as an original composition by Donna Hurd, “Sleep Little Jesus Fair.”

The CD costs $10 and all proceeds will support the upcoming Honduras trip. The CD will be on sale at Raymond Village Community Church every Sunday morning as well as at the Christmas Fair to be held on Dec. 1. Copies of the CD can also be purchased by calling Jeri Keane at 655-2709 or Brenda Stevenson at 655-3450.

All those involved in the production of the CD volunteered their time thus allowing 100 percent of the profits to go toward the Honduras Mission Trip fund. By purchasing this CD, you will enjoy great music while supporting a terrific cause.

Desjardinses Thanked for Service

Longtime Raymond residents, Dana and Paula Desjardins, were thanked for their dedication to the community at the conclusion of this year’s soccer season. The Desjardins have managed all aspects of the Raymond Recreation soccer program for several years including the past two despite the fact that they had no children participating in the program.

The Raymond Recreation soccer program serves children in kindergarten through grade six. The Desjardinses perform countless duties which include conducting registrations, finding coaches, overseeing team selection, ordering T-shirts, preparing and maintaining fields, securing use of Camp Agawam’s field, designing schedules for all levels of players, managing and maintaining equipment, and many more activities that we all take for granted.

Having no children in the program for the last two years, this dedication and contribution to the program is simply above and beyond basic volunteerism. The Desjardinses are obviously wonderful and generous people, and we are fortunate to have them as members of our community. The parents of this year’s players wanted to recognize and thank the couple for their relentless efforts. Money was collected and a gift was presented to show appreciation for all their hard work and dedication to our kids. For all you have done over the years, we sincerely thank you.

Benefit for Accident Victim

Three weeks ago, Windham native and current Raymond resident Danielle Emmerson-Lewis survived a tragic car accident. Danielle’s 1999 GMC truck crossed the centerline and collided with a crane truck on Route 26 in Oxford. Although the driver of the crane truck incurred no injuries, Danielle was airlifted to Central Maine Medical Center with multiple critical injuries. She spent eight days at the hospital undergoing a series of surgeries to repair the damage. Danielle is now home with her family but has a long road of recovery ahead of her.

To help her with costs incurred, there will be a benefit held at the Naples Legion Hall on Friday, Nov. 16. Local artist Pete Finkle will be performing from 7-11 p.m. Tickets are $10 each or $15 per couple with all proceeds going directly to Danielle and her family. Do not miss the opportunity to support this family while enjoying a fun evening out. For ticket information, please call Kristine at 655-2588.

Raymond Village Library Children’s Book Sale

The Raymond Village Library is celebrating Children’s Book Week. Established in 1919 to acknowledge and promote the value of reading to young people, Nov. 12 kicks off Children’s Book Week.

In celebration of Children’s Book Week, the library is currently holding a children’s book sale which will continue through the entire month of November. This is a wonderful opportunity to purchase previously enjoyed books at very inexpensive prices while supporting our library. Book donations are always welcomed and appreciated and may be dropped off during regular library hours.

Schools Gather Food for Families in Need

The students and staff at our schools have been busy collecting food to donate to the Raymond Village Community Church. Fourth- and second-grade teachers, Mrs. Potter and Mrs. Tarr, spearhead this in-school collection every year.

Students in their classrooms push shopping carts throughout the school building, going from classroom to classroom collecting non-perishables on a daily basis. With more than 150 people needing help for the upcoming holidays, the children experience the good feeling of helping others while being reminded of all they have for which to be grateful. The church will take the food, along with that which they have been collecting, and distribute it to the many families in need of help this Thanksgiving.

Town Office Closed

The Raymond Town office will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.