Walk and run ?at Hacker’s Hill

Hacker’s Hill 4-mile Preservation Walk and Run will take place Saturday, Aug. 11, as part of the ongoing fundraising for Loon Echo’s newest preserve.

Hacker’s Hill in Casco has been the focus of the organization’s campaign efforts, and with just more than $150,000 remaining to meet the $800,000 selling price and establish a permanent endowment, Loon Echo will be hosting a series of events to assist in these endeavors.

The course will have runners and walkers striding uphill on Quaker Ridge Road, finally ending atop Hacker’s Hill with stunning views of the mountains and lakes. The cost to runners and walkers is $20/adult, $15/children and youth. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. and runners will take off at 8:30 a.m. with walkers to follow.

All proceeds from this event will go to the protection and stewardship of Hacker’s Hill. For more information on this or other Hacker’s Hill events visit www.loonecholandtrust.org or email trek@lelt.org. Visit www.runreg.com/Net/3208 to register online.

Benefit 5K?in Gorham

Project Blessing will host a 5K Run/Walk Helping the Homeless on Saturday, Aug. 18 at 9:15 a.m. at Shaw Gym in Gorham.

Registration on the day of the event begins at 7:30 a.m., but pre-registration is encouraged. Based in LifeChurch in Gorham, Project Blessing is a nonprofit organization working with more than 20 social service agencies assisting individuals transitioning from homeless into housing by providing household items needed to setup a home. Proceeds from this event will assist Project Blessing in purchasing household items.

Since Project Blessing was established in 2002, the organization has provided basic household items for over 3,500 individuals, some of which were children. Volunteers with this organization fill weekly requests that are received from caseworks at local social agencies and the need for our services increases every year. Some of the basic needs include blankets and sheets, towels, deodorant, shampoo and toothbrushes.

5K Participants can register online at www.coolrunning.com/. The pre-registration cost is $18, and $23 on the day of the race. The run will start at Shaw Gym located at 75 South St., Gorham. Check-in/Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 8:45 a.m. There will be a free 1K Fun Run for children 13 and under which will start at 8:15 a.m. The 5K Run/Walk will start at 9:15 a.m. The race is limited to 300 participants with the first 100 5K registrants receiving a T-shirt. Participants in the Kids 1K Fun Run [13 & under] will receive a medal. For further information about the run, contact Michael LeClair at 286-7042.

Youth soccer signups in South Portland

South Portland Parks and Recreation is offering a Youth Soccer League for boys and girls in grades 1-6.

The purpose of this program is to promote soccer skill development in an environment, which will enhance the physical, social and emotional growth of the child as he/she learns to be part of a team and work with others. Sportsmanship will be stressed on all teams. Players will be divided into one of three divisions: Division I consists of boys and girls in grades 1 and 2; Division II is boys and girls in grades 3 and 4; and Division III has boys and girls in grades 5 and 6.

Grades 5 and 6 will play teams within their own league as well as teams from other towns. Some games for grades 5 and 6 will require traveling to other area towns to play. Girls and boys will play on separate teams. All practices and games will take place at Wainwright Farm Recreation Complex. Games will be played on Saturdays, beginning Sep. 8 and ending Oct. 20.

Aug. 10 is the last day to register at the early bird price of $45. Aug. 20 is the last day to register, with a price of $65. A coaches meeting will be held Aug. 23 and players will receive a call from a coach after the meeting. First week of practice is Aug. 27, and games kick off Sept. 8.

Coaches are needed. If you would like to coach, fill out a volunteer coaching application, which are located at the front desk of the Community Center. Each team will have a maximum of two adult volunteer coaches and two student/athlete coaches. For more information, contact Sabrina Best at 767-7650.