For the sixth year, Aramark, dining provider for the University of Southern Maine, and USM’s Department of Residential Life have supported the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots campaign.

This year, the 60th anniversary of Toys for Tots, the university collected more than 1,695 toys to be distributed to needy children in Maine.

Deborah Corcimiglia, dining services office manager, and Anna Schwartz, coordinator of Residential Student Involvement, asked students and employees to donate cash and loose change as they entered dining halls, rather than donating toys. USM’s toy crew then purchased the toys that were picked up Dec. 13 by members of Company A – First Battalion, 25th Marines of Topsham at USM’s annual holiday meal.

Turkey race benefits detector program

A check for the proceeds of the 10th annual “Burn Off the Turkey” 5K race, held Nov. 24, was recently presented to Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre by Don Cross, Gorham Business and Civic Exchange race director, and Cindy Hazelton, director of Gorham Recreation Department.

The check for $3,387 will benefit the Gorham Fire Department smoke detector program, a free service provided by the department. There is no charge for the detectors and no charge for installing them in private homes in Gorham.

Those who do not have functioning smoke detectors can call Gorham Fire Department at 839-6762, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Adopt a hydrant

The Gorham Fire Department is requesting the assistance of Gorham residents who have a fire hydrant on or near their property by adopting the hydrant.

Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre said citizens who adopt a hydrant would agree to clear the snow around the hydrant within eight hours of the end of a storm. Clearing the snow requires shoveling a 3- to 4-foot-path from the side of the road to the hydrant and then a 4-foot wide area around the hydrant.

The department has more than 300 hydrants that need to be shoveled after every storm. Lefebvre said this requires a large expenditure of funds each storm for payroll and fuel cost. He said it takes a minimum of 14 hours or more to complete all 300 hydrants. “With citizens participating in assisting us we can save considerable funds throughout the course of winter months,” Lefebvre said.

“We would like to extend our thanks to the many citizens who are already participating in this program. It not only helps reduce cost but also greatly improves their safety and the safety of their neighbors by ensuring that the hydrant is readily available for use in an emergency,” he said.

U.S. taxpayer debt

The Bureau of Public Debt reported on Dec. 19 that the U.S. Public Debt was 9,145,592,196,667.69.

Cutline (turkey check) – Chief Robert Lefebvre of Gorham Fire and Rescue Department, left, receives a check for $3,387 from Don Cross of Gorham Business & Civic Exchange and director of the Courtesy of Gail Platts, administrative assistant for Gorham Recreation Department. Photo cutline (toys for tots)- From left, ARAMARKtion to children in Maine as part of the