WELLS — The Wells High School Warriors Boys Basketball Varsity Team presented a check for $2,350 to the Outreach Program for Wells and Ogunquit during halftime at a varsity home game with Yarmouth on Feb. 4. This is the fourth year the team has raised funds for this local charity largely by selling calendars and holding bake and food sales at Wells Recreaction basketball games held in the Wells Elementary School gymnasium.

Accepting the check on behalf of the Outreach Program for Wells and Ogunquit was former teacher, children’s librarian and area volunteer, Diana Abbott.

According to WHS Varsity Boys Basketball Coach Troy Brown, his team has raised about $8,000 for this charity in the past four seasons. Five years ago the team raised funds for the Make a Wish Foundation.

“It says a lot about our program and our kids giving back to our community,” said Coach Brown who added, “Over the last four years, this donation has stayed in the York County area.”

At the food and bake sales, parents contributed bake goods and hot food. Each varsity basketball team member worked at these games by refereeing or running the score board.

According to Abbott, the mission of her organization is to “service the needs of the communities of Wells and Ogunquit.” At Thanksgiving the group provides turkey dinners to those in need. A few weeks later at Christmas, the group provides turkey dinners to families plus gifts and gift certificates for children.

Currently, the Outreach Program has eight members down from 12 when Abbott and Walter Griffin co-chaired the group. Abbott says she focuses on the needs of area school children. She says the organization recently helped a woman raising two sons in a basement move into a better apartment with adequate furniture and heat.

“I am very proud of my kids putting this ahead of themselves and giving back to the community, a community that supports us, our basketball program and all student athletes in the school district,” said Coach Brown.