SANFORD — Beat the Winter Blues is hosted every year to make families aware of  the opportunities in Sanford and Springvale available to help to provide their children with a healthy, active life.

It is a fun event for kids and an informative event for families,  reports Sharon Remick, principal at Lafayette School. 

Held March 1 at St. Ignatius Gym, Beat the Winter Blues featured Ben Fogg entertaining  children and their families with songs, dance and juggling. Bruce D. Moose made another guest appearance as did Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog.  

There were crafts and face painters sponsored by St. Thomas School. 

There were activities sponsored by the 5,2,1,0 program; the Family Martial Arts Program; the First Steps Day Care; the Sanford Parks and Recreation Program, Goodall Memorial Library and Springvale Public Library. 

Other organizations included the folks from the W.I.C. program; York County Community Action and Head Start; Maine Families program; A Family for Me.; St. Thomas School and the Sanford Schools.  

As the evening came to an end, Remick said Fogg  helped call out the names of raffle winners — each organization and other Sanford businesses provide raffles for this event each year.  Gift certificates were provided by  Get Fired Up; Bonanza; Shain’s Ice Cream; Dairy Queen; Shaker Pond Ice Cream; Mountain View Golf Center and  Bowl-A-Rama.  

 SIS Bank of Sanford and Kennebunk Savings Bank of Wells, provided funds for the entertainer and for books that went home free with each child, said Remick.  

The Sanford Police Cadets, under the supervision of Officer Mike Thornton,  helped out along with St. Thomas sixth and seventh graders with set-up, clean up, assisting providers, and escorting Clifford and Curious George as they visited families.  

 “To all of our wonderful providers and supporters, we say thank you, said Remick. “ We also, thank everyone who came to participate – it looked like you were having lots of fun  – and we look forward to seeing you and lots of your friends next year.  Stay safe and healthy!”