Dempsey Challenge

It is time for the 2nd Annual Dempsey Challenge where up to 3,500 cyclists from all over the country will be riding 25, 50 or 100 miles to raise money for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in Lewiston. The center provides high-quality education, support and wellness services to patients, survivors and caregivers.

Maine’s own Patrick Dempsey will be joined by professional cyclists George Hincapie, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, and Kevin Livingston and together they will lead the pack of riders over a challenging and scenic course that takes cyclists right through Raymond. If you missed seeing them come through town last year, it was quite the sight and worthy of watching this year.

In fact, would you like to meet many of these riders? As part of the trek, they are treated to rest stops for refueling throughout the day and volunteers are needed to run the rest stop at the Casco Town Hall. The event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 3, and the rest stop will be open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Volunteers are needed to serve water and food for the trekkers as well as cheer them on and answer questions. You can volunteer for the entire period or work a one- or two-hour shift. This is a fabulous opportunity to meet and talk with people from all over the country while helping this worthy cause. If you can help, please contact Beth Gaudet at egaudet@maine.rr.com.

Free library card

The American Library Association has deemed September as Library Card Sign-Up Month, and the Raymond Village Library wants to be sure your family has a library card. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. Kids can go to the library to get homework help and borrow books, and they can also check out music, DVDs and use the Internet all for free.

The Raymond Village Library encourages everyone to take advantage of this reminder, especially at the start of the new school year. A library card can be the most important school supply of all and costs absolutely nothing. The library is open on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Stop by and get your card today.

Safe Passage Esperanza 5K

This month, communities around the world will run and walk together in friendship, hope and solidarity to support the children and families of Safe Passage, a charitable coalition formed to assist the children and families at the Guatemala City garbage dump.

The first annual 5K run/walk was held in 2005 and after five years of strong community support for the Maine 5K, the race is going international this year. “Esperanza” is the Spanish word for “hope,” so why not come out and run while bringing hope into others’ lives.

Safe Passage provides education, social services, and the chance to move beyond the poverty their families have faced for generations to hundreds of children who contend with situations marked by extreme poverty, neglect and abuse. These children are defeating all odds by leaving the Guatemala City garbage dump where they have lived their entire lives and attending the Safe Passage program.

Our community’s Safe Passage Esperanza 5K will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 8 a.m. on the Windham High School track and surrounding roads. The registration fee is $20 and includes a T-shirt and awards for top finishers. Massages and food vendors will be available. For more information or to register, contact Beth Bubier at 892-1810 or ebubier@rsu14.org.

PTO

The Raymond PTO has kicked of its year with its first meeting including a discussion on allocating field trip funds, upcoming fundraisers and a guest speaker, Stephanie Joyce, school health coordinator for RSU 14, who updated the group on the wellness initiatives planned for the upcoming school year.

A huge thank you goes out to Serena Knight and Roxanne Gerry who organized the first car show held last week. This event was a huge success and their work will help the PTO to continue offering scholarships, field trips, special guests and educational programs for our kids.?Hannaford Supermarkets has begun its Hannaford Helps Schools program. This program offers coupon dollars to each shopper when they purchase particular products. Please send those coupons into the school. The PTO can redeem the coupons for real cash and in addition, the school with the most dollars earns a bonus award of $1000.

The PTO meets on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Jordan Small Middle School. To become a member, contact President Abby Davis at 655-9060 or adavis21@maine.rr.com.