On Monday, Feb. 12, approximately 25 to 30 Berwick residents attended "Community Involvement Night." Several community groups and organizations gave informative and inspiring presentations to their fellow citizens and urged them all to become more involved.
Shelley Kocek spoke on behalf of the PTSO, which represents Berwick's grades six through eight. She pointed out that volunteers were "desperately needed" and that anyone interested in fundraising should volunteer or join the PTSO. Commitment levels vary, starting at as little as an hour per month and go up from there. Kocek stressed that any amount of involvement would make a world of difference to students. Since many parents move on to other groups when their child enters high school, this often leaves the PTSO in the need of new volunteers.
Sandy Broomfield from the Berwick Public Library gave a rundown of several things that our new library offers. Summer reading programs, free internet access, story time, and beginner computer training classes are just some of the ongoing activities and offerings that Sandy touched upon. She urged citizens to come down and check out the library, and said that she and the other staff would love to see both new and old faces.
Working within a limited book budget, the library is very grateful for any book and monetary donations the public can provide in order to continue to offer new reading material.
Laura Drew from Country Moose Kids came to give details on the Help Us Help Others program that she runs. Currently, the program, is helping Jossilyn Adams, a 9 year-old girl suffering from Leukemia, and plans to help others in the community who are in need, should the situation arise. Drew does what she can by assisting in the community through the use of business connections she has made through the years. HUHO accepts cash donations but is also subsidized by Country Moose Kids, who also offers discounted goods to non-profits and volunteer groups.
Kerri Ashburn from both the Hussey School PTO and Berwick Youth Soccer Association gave overviews on both groups. The PTO is very active in grades K through four and helps to sponsor field trips, family nights, a teacher breakfast, and the purchase of equipment for classrooms. Members and volunteers are always welcome and are not limited to parents.
Ashburn, also the President of the BYSA, talked about this program, in which many children in Berwick and surrounding towns participate. Games are held at the Hussey School fields and beginning this year, all teams have been restructured and renamed according to age. The main thing that the BYSA program was in need of was field-prep personnel, referees and several coaches.
Kim Taylor of the Berwick Recreation Department went over a list of events that are offered through the Town. Some of the choices for children and their families include summer and adventure camps, a townwide clean up week, a Halloween event that is an alternative to trick-or-treating, a holiday lighting contest, field trips, dances, and babysitter certification classes. Taylor is also involved with the Girl Scouts.
Jeanette LeMay, who along with Christina DeBold, organized Community Involvement Night, gave a brief overview of the Boy Scouts and who to contact to get involved. LeMay also gave a brief synopsis of the Berwick Citizens Committee. LeMay said that the BCC is looking for those who are interested in becoming new members, volunteers for upcoming public events, and members to take and submit notes from different meetings.
Kathy Sheedy attended on behalf of both the Community Closet and the Girl Scouts. As a growing organization, currently with over 180 girls, the biggest problem the Berwick Girl Scouts are facing is recruiting troop leaders. Both Sheedy and Kim Taylor said although troop leaders are typically mothers, the position is not just for moms anymore. Dads, grandparents and others from the community can get involved as well, and are encouraged to because they can also provide a positive experience for their troop.
Sheedy said that she and two other volunteers have their hands full with the Community Closet. The Community Closet offers free clothing to those in need each month. Monetary donations, new underwear, toiletries and a permanent home for the organization were the main things needed by the group. Right now, services are provided out of the basement of the Berwick United Methodist Church, for which the group is grateful, but this arrangement creates very long set-up times, and allows for limited hours and space.
The closet helps between 150-180 people of all ages every month.
Ted Lagueux from the Recycling Committee gave an overview of Berwick's recycling status and programs. Lagueux was very helpful and informative in educating those in attendance on what Berwick can do to help reduce the amount of household waste and recyclables that enter into a landfill. The three-member committee would like to increase to between five and seven full-time members. The Recycling Committee's next meeting is Tuesday, Feb. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Town Hall.
This week's calendar
Monday, Feb. 19:President's Day; Town offices, USPS, banks, stock market closed, SAD 60 February Vacation Week (classes resume 2/26)
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.: Board of Selectmen
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 5 p.m.: Table of Plenty, United Methodist Church
Thursday, Feb. 22: Washington's Birthday
For more information, e-mail longbccyahoo.com; visit www.berwickcitizenscommittee.org; or write to Berwick Citizens Committee, P.O. Box 445, Berwick, ME 03901.
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