Dalton Curtis and his crew of volunteers, with their Christmas haul, at the Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan.

Dalton Curtis, 14, is a life scout of Boy Scout Troop #485, of Skowhegan, traveling on his journey to becoming an Eagle Scout.

In memory of his grandfather Frank G. James Jr., who passed away last year of cancer, Dalton decided to donate 50 cancer care packages (25 for men, and 25 for women) to the patients of the oncology department at Redington-Fairview General Hospital, in Skowhegan, the hospital where his grandfather received chemotherapy treatments in Skowhegan.

He chose the undertaking as his Eagle Scout Project. It is his way of giving back to the hospital for giving his grandfather such wonderful care. Each kit includes the following: a fleece throw, warm socks, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, tissues, a tooth brush with soft bristles, goat milk soap, lip balm (2), puzzle book with pen, a handmade bookmark, gum (no mint), chocolate, plastic utensils (the metal utensils taste bad after receiving chemotherapy), and a reusable tote bag. These kits are designed to help with side effects, and to teach others about chemotherapy as well.

Dalton typed up a letter on BSA (Boy Scouts of America) letterhead to ask for donations to purchase materials and supplies from places such as Walmart and Hannaford stores. He received donations through family and friends, he also did a fundraiser through Pampered Chef. Dalton was able to raise $600 for these kits! With the help of his troop, the Boy Scouts assembled all 50 kits, and donated them to the oncology department of Redington-Fairview General Hospital, on November 29.

Evelyn LaCroix (Photo by Central Maine Photography)

Evelyn LaCroix, 11, of Skowhegan, was invited to sing the national anthem, on October 7, at the bridge dedication in honor of Somerset County deputy sheriff Cpl. Eugene Cole, pictured, who was tragically killed in the line of duty. With Evelyn are Pastor Deputy Kevin Brooks, left, and Somerset County Sheriff Dale P. Lancaster.

China Middle School Jobs for Maine Graduates students stand with David Richards, director of the Margaret Chase Smith Library, and a life-like portrait of Margaret Chase Smith as a young lady. (Contributed photo)

The Jobs for Maine Graduates program at China Middle School recently visited the Margaret Chase Smith Library, in Skowhegan, as the JMG program was being recognized for a community service project that they had done earlier in the school year. They did a Spare Change Drive to help with Hurricane Harvey relief in China, Texas. They were invited to attend by Director David Richards, who spotted the article months earlier in The Town Line, newspaper. As they got the tour, they were expecting the building to be more like a library, but it was actually more like a museum. It was really interesting that the museum was added on to her house.

A few interesting facts they learned were Margaret was the first woman in congress to break the sound barrier. She earned 94 Honorary Doctorate degrees from colleges around the country. Family meant a great deal as she had many pictures of her family in the house, especially in the entry area of the house. And her mother seemed very important as she had a picture of her above her bed. She didn’t have any children of her own so she was very close with her nieces and nephews. Some of her family came from Canada and changed their surname because people that were French were discriminated against. One of her missions was to make sure all people were treated with equality and respect.

Margaret wanted all students, especially Maine students, to serve their community and aspire to be a leader. In the entryway was the book The Little Engine That Could because her feeling was if you tried as hard as you can you can succeed and that when someone needs help, you help. You don’t sit by the sidelines and watch. It was a great visit.