Moody Foundation to honor beloved resident during boys’ basketball home opener

By Matt Pascarella

More than one year after his passing, the memory and character of Windham resident Pat Moody remain within not just the local community but throughout Southern Maine.

The late Pat Moody,  left, joins his son AJ Moody after
Windham High School won its first state boys' basketball
title at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland in March 2024. The 
team will honor Pat Moody while raising money for the
Pat  Moody Foundation during this season's home
opener at Windham High on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
SUBMITTED PHOTO    

The Pat Moody Foundation was launched to keep Moody’s memory and love for helping the community alive. The purpose of the Pat Moody Foundation is to provide opportunities to others in need, whether that be through scholarships or money for athletics, and hopefully encourage them to help others and in turn become more civic-minded.

During the Windham High School varsity boys’ basketball team home opener against Sanford High on at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, “Pat Moody Night” will pay tribute to a genuine community hero and legend.

“Pat was truly a pillar here,” said wife Sherma Moody. “His passion for basketball and his belief in giving kids a chance to grow through the sport shaped so much of who he was. Pat always made it a point to include as many kids as possible, teaching them the fundamentals of basketball but also the value of teamwork, perseverance, and belonging.”

The goal of the Pat Moody Foundation is to put the funds raised right back into the community and into forming positive influences and experiences for youth. It currently aims to expand scholarship offerings for more students in the coming year and continue fundraising events for kids in need, including educational support and extracurricular activities.

“It's hard to believe it's already been a year since Pat's untimely passing,” said Pat Moody’s best friend and Pat Moody Foundation board member Tyler Graves. “Not a day passes that I don't think of Pat. I believe all of us can attest that after knowing someone for so long that they become part of you, they're the thread that becomes stitched into your life. I think being involved with the foundation has given me a sense of well-being in knowing that Pat would have been proud of our efforts to continue selfless acts of kindness that in some way will help benefit, support, encourage, and even inspire our youth.”

Basketball was more than a game for Pat Moody. It gave him lifelong friendships, mentors, and a network that supported him throughout his life. He wanted every child, regardless of circumstances, to have that same opportunity. Through the Pat Moody Foundation, young athletes can join teams, get basic equipment or a pair of shoes, and most importantly, discover the joy and confidence that come from playing the sport he cherished.

“Within that year the foundation has grown considerably because of the generous donations from our local communities,” said Moody’s sister and Pat Moody Foundation President Tracey Lydon. “I think I can speak for the entire board and say that we are humbled by the outpouring of support that has transpired in the wake of losing Pat. We've been afforded the opportunity and privilege of providing over $6,000 in multiple scholarships to some very deserving, civic-minded student athletes, and have sponsored children to participate in youth sports who may have not been able to afford it otherwise.”

It's heartwarming for Graves to see people within the Windham community and Southern Maine wearing any Pat Moody-related T-shirts. Graves said he has had people stop and ask what WWPD (What Would Pat Do?) means; this has started conversations and allowed him to explain the random acts of kindness that embodied Pat Moody’s persona.

“The firsts are hard, very hard,” said Lydon. “Being part of a team that is keeping Pat’s legacy alive by making sure that the community and the kids have access to the opportunities that basketball gave him makes me feel his presence in everything we do.”

Windham’s boys’ basketball team honored Moody last year at their first home game and people really enjoyed it and it was well-attended. The team wants to keep the tradition going and all T-shirt sales that night go directly to the Pat Moody Foundation. The night will also be a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about the Pat Moody Foundation, its accomplishments, its purpose. and its plans for the future.

Donations made to the Pat Moody Foundation stay here and directly serve our community's children; this will hopefully inspire them to continue to play sports and give back in their own way.

“The Pat Moody Foundation is so much more than a charitable effort, it is a way of keeping his spirit alive in the community he loved so deeply,” said Sherma Moody. “The Pat Moody Foundation reflects his heart, focused on children in need, committed to opening doors, and dedicated to helping young people continue learning and growing. Carrying on this mission allows me to honor Pat every day and ensure that the love and generosity he poured into this community continue to inspire future generations.” <

Honor Flight humbles Windham veteran and great-grandmother

By Ed Pierce

From start to finish, a Windham veteran was surprised by every aspect of her Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. earlier this year and describes it “as an experience of a lifetime.”

Alola Giffin Morrison of Windham, left, was
a recipient of an Honor Flight to Washington,
D.C. earlier this year. She served in the 
United States Public Health Service as a
Lieutenant Junior Grade and achieved the 
rank of Major in the U.S. Army Reserve
Medical Corps before retiring. Her son,
Mark Morrison of Windham, accompanied
his mother on her Honor Flight.
COURTESY PHOTO  

Alola Giffin Morrison, 88, grew up as the daughter of a U.S. Coast Guard captain, and lived in eight different cities ranging from New Orleans to throughout the Northeastern U.S. and as far north as Agentia, Newfoundland in Canada growing up. She attended four different high schools as her family moved around and became accustomed to the military lifestyle.

After earning dual Bachelor of Science degrees in nutrition and home economics in 1959 from the University of Maine, she completed a one-year dietetic internship at Beth Israel Hospital in Massachusetts, qualifying her to become a registered dietitian in 1960. Later that same year, she became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) in Boston and was sworn in by her father as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. The USPHS is a uniformed service of the military and is made up of skilled medical and health care professionals.

She married her University of Maine classmate and sweetheart Joe Morrison in November 1961 at Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts and resigned from the Public Health Service in June 1962 to move to Orono, Maine to start her family with the delivery of her first of three children in August 1962. Her husband had accepted a teaching principal position in Glenburn, and she worked weekends at Eastern Maine Medical Center through 1966 as a young mother of three, followed by weekends and nights at St. Joseph's hospital, into the early 1970s. By 1972, she was elected President of the Maine Dietetic Association.

Resuming her military career by re-enlisting in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps (USARMC) as a captain in 1974, she was assigned to the 1125th Medical Unit out of Auburn, Maine and Section 1 in Bangor for 12 years as a registered dietitian. She retired from the USARMC in 1986 having obtained the rank of Major.

Her two-week active-duty assignments while in the Army Reserves included stints at Fort Drum in New York, Sam Houston Medical School in Texas, West Point in New York, Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Fort Devens in Massachusetts and at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland.

That experience qualified her to be a recipient of an Honor Flight from Maine.

“I was pleased to be able to go,” Morrison said. “I was greatly surprised to see how many people were at the airport in Bangor to see us off. I certainly didn’t expect that.”

Her son, Mark Morrison of Windham, accompanied his mother on the trip and says he is proud of what she has accomplished in life.

“The earnings she received as a Reservist, allowed her to save over several months so she could then open her own private consulting practice as a dietitian,” he said. “As an independent small business medical professional, she was able to contribute more to the family income budget with this move, while having much more control and flexibility with her schedule by setting her own hours with three children at home. Additionally, her Reserve pay was steady and predictable, which further helped the family budget, especially during the early years as her consulting income at first was unpredictable. As a married working mother, this proved to be a huge benefit and the main driver for this professional change. It was all about balancing life's responsibilities as a professional woman and mother. Being a mother first was her priority.

Of everything she got to see and do on her Honor Flight, Alola Morrison said that going to the Women’s Military Memorial was her favorite. She had been there previously, but the tour took her back there again.

“They had me come up front and I wasn’t aware that they had a presentation for me,” she said.

Her military story was officially entered into the Women's Military Memorial. While on her Honor Flight to Washington D.C. from Bangor she had been interviewed and “her official story” by curator Britta Granrud was entered into the memorial's archives. She was one of 77 veterans from Maine and was the only female veteran on this trip.

During her flight to Washington Morrison confided that she was not sure she deserved the honor.

“I was never in combat, and I was never sent out of the country for active duty. I was a Medical Reservist who remained stateside my entire career,” she said.

But she was told because she was one of just a few women who served back in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s when it was not common for women to serve in our military. As a Reservist, her contribution was important as she performed duties that full-time active-duty members needed while stationed overseas. She was part of a medical team that was available if ever needed and showed the way for younger women that a military career was possible. She is a role model for the younger women who are considering the military part-time or full-time and that it is possible to have a military career as a woman and as a mom. Young women need to know this, and they do because of stories like hers.

Before leaving Washington, Morrison said she was impressed at how many people, many of them children, came up to her and thanked her for her military service.

“That was really very sweet of them,” she said. “Before I left, I had no idea what to expect. It turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my lifetime.”

When her Honor Flight landed back home another special surprise awaited Morrison as her plane was met by a crowd of people that included U.S. Senator Susan Collins, U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree and Maine Gov. Janet Mills.

She’s been a member of American Legion Post 148 for the past seven years and served three years as 2nd Vice Commander at the post. Her husband and one of her sons have passed away, but she remains the mother of Mark and a daughter Cheryl, a grandmother of five and a great-grandmother of three with two more on the way. <

Windham Hill UCC prepares for return of annual Festival of Trees

By Ed Pierce

It’s a unique Windham tradition as the holiday season officially arrives every December with the return of the popular Annual Christmas Festival of Trees to the Windham Hill United Church of Christ.

The Ninth Christmas Festival of Trees returns to
Windham Hill United Church of Christ's Fellowship Hall
at 140 Windham Center Road in Windham from Friday, Dec.
5 through Sunday, Dec. 7. The popular annual event 
showcases local merchants and organizations and is a
fundraiser for the church. SUBMITTED PHOTO 

This year is no exception when the Ninth Annual Christmas Festival of Trees will be held Dec. 6 through Dec. 8 in the Windham Hill United Church of Christ’s Fellowship Hall at 140 Windham Center Road in Windham.

The much-anticipated event for the community of Windham is a showcase for local merchants and organizations as well as a fundraiser for Windham Hill United Church of Christ, the founding church of Windham and a historic landmark for the town.

Festival hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the festival will be open from noon to 4 p.m. with the Grand Drawing of Winners to be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7.

The church’s Fellowship Hall will be decorated for the holiday season and refreshments will be available.

There will be 24 beautifully decorated and lighted trees with various gifts on or beneath the trees.

“People always enjoy seeing the trees as a way to kick off the holiday season,” said Heidi Fox, co-chair of the festival. “And there is an opportunity to win a fully decorated and gift-laden tree.”

The trees are sponsored and donated by various local businesses and individuals.

“We acknowledge those businesses that have been with us from the beginning,” said Fox. “They are D’Ameri Acres, Blue Seal Feeds, Children’s Adventure Center, Dolby, Blais & Segee Funeral Chapels, P.R. Webster/NSSR, Spruce Salon, Wildwood Properties and Windham Jewelers.”

Raffle tickets for winning the trees will be sold for 50 cents each. The winner of each tree will be drawn at the end of the event on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m. and is always a highlight of the event. All are welcome for the drawing in person or on Facebook Live. A tree winner will receive the fully decorated tree and all the gifts beneath or attached to the tree.

According to Fox, this year there are multiple trees with up to $1,000 in gift cards while other trees have wonderful gifts to benefit your holiday shopping experience. The proceeds from the sale of tickets benefit the church’s many mission projects and annual budget.

In keeping up a tradition, Windham Hill UCC will once again sponsor a special tree to honor the memory of the late Bob Turner, a Windham Hill UCC church member who along with his wife Bonnie came up with the idea to create this popular annual event. Turner, who died in January 2023, based his idea on an event that he participated in when he lived in Brewer.

This year, “Bob’s Tree” contains $1,000 in gift cards contributed by the congregation. Last year’s winner of “Bob’s Tree” sent a note of thanks for winning that tree, explaining that she could not use all the wonderful gifts under the tree, so she gifted some of them to folks in need.

“It’s a gift that keeps on giving,” Fox said.

Tree sponsors will decorate their trees and then put gifts on and around the tree, many from their store or organization. Winners will receive the tree itself, with its lights and ornaments, all the gifts hanging on the tree, and all the wrapped gifts placed under the tree.

At each of the previous Christmas Festival of Trees events, the drawing winners took home everything from toys and gift items to kitchen supplies and jewelry. There’s always great excitement and anticipation when each Grand Drawing is conducted.

Admission to the Christmas Festival of Trees is free and everyone is welcome to visit the church and take in the sights of these decorated Christmas trees with the colorfully wrapped gifts underneath from the event’s tree sponsors. There will be drawing tickets on sale for 50 cents each. A bucket will be in front of each tree display and one ticket will be drawn for each tree at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

The winners do not have to be present for the drawing but will need to claim their tree and gifts by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Visitors will be able to stroll through a wonderland of whimsical trees, while you tap your toes to jolly music, catch up with friends, and feel that warm, fuzzy holiday spirit. Munch on delicious lunch and homemade baked goodies at the Fellowship Hall café and rumor is that Santa himself may pop in for a visit.

Event officials say that by participating, not only do you have a chance to win big, but you'll also be helping to support the church budget and community mission projects, spreading joy where it's needed most. Some Windham UCC mission projects include donations to the Windham Food Pantry, helping the homeless, participating in the Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing programs, and providing meals for local families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The church’s charitable work also involves collecting donations for fire victims, hurricane victims and those affected by other natural disasters.

“We are grateful for all who will contribute to the festival this year along with those original companies who will join us again,” Fox said. “Other sponsors this year include Mr. Bagel, On The Docks, Windham Powersports, Barb Maurais of Tick BYTES, A Team Realty, New England Fitness and Athletics, The School House Learning Center, Fielding’s Oil & Propane, Cross Insurance-Portland, Beowulf Security Company, Downeast Appliance, RSVP, Beacon Pizza, Feelz Thrift Shop, Allied Real Estate and “Bob’s Tree.”

Windham Hill United Church of Christ is an Open and Affirming church, welcoming all who would come. The church was founded in 1743 and has been central to the life of Windham throughout Windham’s history as a town. <

Local teens coordinate successful food drive to support the Windham Food Pantry

A group of WHS students shop for goods to
donate to the Windham Food Pantry with funds
raised over the course of two weeks. Front from left,
Layla Pinto, Amelia Richards, Hazel Lundberg,
and Audrey Libby. Back from left,
Madi Valliere and Peyton McLean.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

By Erin Rose 

 A Windham parent enlisted teens and members of the community for a food drive that raised more than $500 to purchase food items for the Windham Food Pantry, along with collecting additional food donations from Windham residents. 

Angela Libby spent a little under two weeks collecting funds and donations, ending up with more than four shopping carts full of food for the food pantry. She assembled a group of teens from Windham High School to help with both collecting donations and with a shopping trip to Market Basket in Westbrook. 
“I wanted to help, and I wanted my youngest daughter to be involved and see that there are people who are less fortunate than us” in the community, she said. “Having the kids hear about how many are in need, how many people come [to the Food Pantry], and what is available was really eye opening for them, which is exactly what I was looking for.” 

Libby added that hearing from a food pantry volunteer that there are 38 families from the Windham Primary School seeking help from the community organization really hit home for the kids. 

“It was an eye opener for them,” she said. “They couldn’t believe it. It’s hard to realize what’s going on in other kids’ homes.”

Upon hearing about recent cuts to SNAP benefits, the mother of three daughters used a group chat from a group of teens who attended Homecoming together to reach out to parents and their kids to see if any would be interested in participating. 

“Everybody of course said yes,” she said. “Some kids came over with boxes of food they had collected, and others collected money.” 

The day off from school to honor Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, November 4 provided a perfect opportunity for the teens to visit the grocery store and pick up items from the donated funds. 

“We had a blast,” Libby said, adding that the kids maintained organized carts to ensure that there was a variety of foods purchased and worked hard to remain under the $500 budget. 

The community has also given to the effort, after a posting on the Windham Maine Community Board on Facebook. More than 15 people commented on the post, 138 liked the post, and it was shared 19 times. 

“People were pretty awesome,” Libby said. “The majority of this community stepped up one way or another, whether it was with us or with another program.” 

Colette Gagnon, who runs the Windham Food Pantry, echoes those sentiments, saying that the residents of Windham have gone above and beyond to help those in the community who are suffering from food instability. 

“They are generous like you can’t believe,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to serve that many people if the town wasn’t as generous as they have been.” 

“The food drive that Angela did with her daughters was really, really nice. And there are other groups doing things of all kinds,” Gagnon added.  

The Windham Food Pantry serves over 325 families currently, with that number increasing almost daily. 
“I get calls practically every day, saying they don’t have their SNAP benefits and would like to sign up for the food pantry,” Gagnon said. 

-With the holidays speedily approaching, the needs have grown as families look to fill their tables for those special meals. The pantry is working to build Thanksgiving baskets for those in need and has been able to complete baskets for the families who have requested them. Last year, the organization completed 70-75 baskets, while this year, they will be looking to fill “way more than 100,” Gagnon said. 

“We’ve been able to fill all the baskets people have asked for, and I’m sure I will get more,” she added, noting that it is inevitable that more requests will come in as the holiday nears. 

If people from the community are looking to help, the pantry benefits the most from financial donations, as it is a member of the Good Shepherd Food Bank network, which allows participating food banks to purchase food in bulk for discounted rates. 

“Monetary donations would be really, really nice,” Gagnon said. “If we have monetary donations, then we’re able to purchase more food for the buck.”

She also noted another organization, the Windham Clothes Closet, which is located downstairs from the food pantry at 377 Gray Road, is also accepting donations and helps residents in need of clothing. The pantry, which is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. accepts donations and is looking for clean and lightly used or new winter clothes such as hats, gloves, jackets,  boots, socks and ski pants as the weather turns cold.  

Residents seeking food assistance can reach out to 207-892-1931 to schedule an appointment to visit the Food Pantry.

Donations of food and non-food items are accepted Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cash or check donations must be brought to the Town Manager’s Office, Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can also mail checks payable to Windham Food Pantry to 8 School Road, Windham, ME 04062. <

Windham High School brings the 1950s to life with the Grease musical

Windham High School's performance of 'Grease the Musical' 
kicked off their first weekend of performances with a fun, 
high energy show. Set in the 1950s at Rydell High, 
the show explores love, rebellion, and the complexities of 
high school life through the romance of Danny Zuko and 
Sandy Dumbrowski. Upcoming shows are on Nov. 21 and 22 
at 7 PM and Nov. 23 at 2 PM at the Windham Performing 
Arts Center in the auditorium at WHS. 
PHOTO BY Mychelle Koutalakis

 By Masha Yurkevich

As the days get shorter and colder, the Windham High School (WHS) Grease musical will certainly make you feel warm and energetic. Grease the Musical is a vibrant and high-energy show set in the 1950s at Rydell High. The show explores love, rebellion, and the complexities of high school life through the romance of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. Upcoming shows are on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. at the Windham Performing Arts Center. Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and students. Tickets are sold only on show dates at the door of Windham High School Performing Arts Center door one hour before show time.

“There are 75 students working on this production, the largest group we have ever had, says Rob Juergens, Director of the show. “Although our stage is pretty big, it proved difficult to stage so large a group with set pieces as well. But we did it! It is amazing to see a stage full of students in larger dance numbers.”
For Juergens, his favorite part of the musical was watching Sandy, Danny, the Burger Boys and the Pink Ladies develop their characters throughout the rehearsal process. 

“They developed unique personalities while also forging a group identity,” says Juergens. 
The show is very fast-paced and high energy, showcasing 50’s style dancing and singing. Each act runs only 50 minutes, which makes for a short show. 

“Set in Rydell High School in the 50’s, the plot involves the complexity of relationships among students, focusing on Danny and Sandy,” says Juergens. “Although the script provided is sparse, several companies offer additional songs from the movie that audiences are familiar with. The characters are wildly entertaining, and the songs and dances provide the audience with a blast of energy that have them leaving the show smiling and humming the tunes.”

Some audience members will be familiar with the story and many of the songs because of the popular film adaptation from 1978, but there are some differences that make this experience fun and engaging. The WHS production of Grease has a cast of 56 students and 15 students working on the technical aspects of the show, so it is one of the largest groups to be involved in a WHS show. Audiences for all three opening weekend shows topped 300 tickets for each show — the back wall had to be opened, and the bleacher seats used to accommodate such large crowds on Saturday and Sunday.

Corey Brackett, a senior at WHS, plays Sandy in the musical. “For me, the hardest part of the show was doing the song ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ because not only is it a beautiful song, but it has been iconically performed by singers like Olivia Newton-John. I really wanted to do that song justice,” says Brackett. 

Brackett also shared that she really enjoys the wigs and costumes from the 1950s, but what is very meaningful to her is the journey of self-confidence that Sandy goes on. 

“Some people will say Sandy changes for a boy. I think she is learning who she is and how to stand up for herself — to Rizzo and to Danny,” says Brackett. “She goes from meek to self-confident.”

Corbin Cote, who is a sophomore, plays Danny. “The music presented unique challenges for me as well with many songs being in a higher register to fit the style of the 1950s,” says Cote. “The songs gave me a chance to really stretch and grow vocally with a lot of focus and practice.” 

That work has paid off and now his favorite part of the show is the duet in ‘You’re the One That I Want’, which is an iconic song for Grease fans.

The show sold out the first weekend, with over 1100 tickets sold. The audiences were cheering and applauding from the opening curtain to the final song. “Comments I heard included ‘the best high school show I’ve ever seen’, and ‘better than Broadway’,” says Juergens. “The atmosphere in the lobby after the show was electric as the cast and crew greeted their fans and families.”

The community is strongly encouraged to attend a show and are promised that they will leave with a smile, humming the catchy tunes. Upcoming shows are on Nov. 21 and 22 at 7:00 p.m. and Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. at the Windham Performing Arts Center. <

Community comes together to support families navigating difficult circumstances during the holidays and beyond

 By Lorraine Glowczak 

It Takes A Village 207 Christmas Program was founded by Journey
(the Grinch) and her daughter Becky Jackson. From left, Jeremy
Jackson, Becky Jackson, Gracie Jackson, and Journey. Together this
family team spends countless hours organizing the Christmas Program
which helps area kids ages 0-17 for the holidays. SUBMITTED PHOTO

As the holiday season approaches, the Windham and Raymond communities once again prove that generosity and compassion are at the heart of small-town life. From gift drives for children to care packages for older adults, local volunteers and organizations are working tirelessly to ensure that no family or individual goes without the warmth and joy of the upcoming season.

Christmas Angels

One of the most heartfelt examples of this spirit is the Christmas Angels program, which began at Windham Middle School (WMS) just five years ago with a few families helping four local households, seven children in total. What started as a small effort at the school because of a phone call asking if there was help for families in need, has grown into a town-wide movement that last year supported 32 families and 37 children.

“It began with just a few families asking if the schools could help,” said organizer Debbie Hall, who coordinates the program through WMS. “Now we have over 100 ‘angels’, people and neighborhoods all across town, who have stepped up to make sure local kids experience a joyful Christmas.”

The Christmas Angels initiative works closely with the Windham Primary, Manchester, and the Windham High Schools to identify families who could use a little extra support. Each participating child provides a wish list of needs and wants, such as clothing, toys, and personal items. Volunteers then coordinate donations so that each student receives at least two or three gifts, along with a new blanket for every child, a small but meaningful gesture that has become a tradition.

“This community amazes me every year,” Hall said. “It has truly warmed my heart how many people want to help.”

The group’s work doesn’t stop when the holidays end. Christmas Angels operates year-round, stepping in when families lose belongings to fires or other emergencies. “We’ve helped families throughout the year, not just at Christmas,” Hall added. “That’s what makes this community so special, the willingness to show up when it matters most.”

Anyone interested in becoming an “angel” can contact Hall at [email protected] to be included in this year’s gift drive. Donations are accepted through December 12, with drop-offs coordinated at each of the participating schools as follows:

Windham Primary School: Diana Jordan, [email protected]

Manchester School: Jessica Weatherbee, [email protected]

Windham High School: Doug Daigle, [email protected]

Raymond Elementary (RES) and Jordan Small Middle Schools (JSMS) are also helping their students and community too by working together with the Raymond Parks and Recreation. “Sponsors are helping provide Thanksgiving bags for RES and JSMS families,” RES Principal Beth Peavey said. “Yet there are families in our Raymond community who may not attend our schools, and we’re joining the Gather and Give community food drive to support them this Thanksgiving.” 

Students will also be decorating boxes for the Thanksgiving box distribution to help make the deliveries extra special.

If you’d like to donate, please reach out to Peavey ([email protected]) or JSMS Principal, Michelle Brann ([email protected]). RES will have a drop-off box in our lobby. Donations are due by November 18th.

Supporting Seniors Through Holiday Wish Bags

While children eagerly await Christmas morning, Windham hasn’t forgotten about its older residents. In partnership with the Windham Food Pantry, community members Mel Oldakowski and Deb McPhail organize an annual Senior Holiday Wish Bag drive.

“I have volunteered at the food pantry for years. A few years ago I started Christmas bags for the seniors. It’s so sad to see so many of them in need. It broke my heart, thus senior bags began,” said McPhail. “Various companies will donate the bags with their logo on it, and we also get monetary donations from companies and individuals. With the money we shop for the 10 most requested items. A survey goes out a couple weeks before to see their needs. They are so grateful.”

Last year, volunteers prepared and distributed bags for 67 seniors. This year, that number has grown significantly, with 91 seniors already signed up to receive a bit of holiday cheer.

“When seniors apply for the bags through the food pantry, they fill out a short wish list,” Oldakowski explained. “We then collect donations from businesses and community members and purchase whatever is left with donated funds.”

The most requested items are simple but deeply appreciated, such as warm hats, gloves, mittens, socks, dish soap, tissues, toilet paper, blankets, and even decks of playing cards. Gift cards are also welcome, providing flexibility for seniors to purchase groceries or other essentials.

Donations will be accepted anytime at Fielding's Oil located at  639 Roosevelt Trail in Windham through December 1, and volunteers will gather at Pat’s Pizza in Windham, which donates space each year, to fill the bags before handing them out at the food pantry on December 17.

To arrange for pick-ups or monetary donations please contact Mel at 207-205-0121.

It Takes a Village 207 Christmas Program

Another organization is making an impact and that is It Takes A Village 207 with their Christmas Program. Based in nearby Limington, they serve families across York and Cumberland Counties, including Windham.

Founded in 2020 by Becky Jackson and her mother Journey. This family-led effort began during the pandemic when Journey saw neighbors struggling to put food on the table. What started small by just them in their home has grown into a well-known regional program that connects donors with local children and families through a sponsorship model.

Individuals, families, and businesses can 'adopt' a child or household and purchase items directly from personalized wish lists. “We make tags for each child that list their specific needs and wants,” Becky Jackson shared. “People can pick a tag from a local business, buy the gift, and drop it off unwrapped.”

They also accept donations of new, unwrapped toys that are not specific to a child. Every little bit helps to give area children and teens an unforgettable Christmas morning. Drop-off trees and boxes are already up at Cormier’s Dog House, Fire & Ice Maine, Hailey’s Kitchen, Paul’s Boutique of Maine, Better Fit Fitness Center, The Kitchen in Limington, and The Windham Eagle office. Donations are accepted until December 13, with all gifts distributed locally.

“It’s amazing to see how our community pulls together,” Jackson said. “Even a small gift can mean the world to a child who might not have much to look forward to this time of year.”

For those wishing to participate or host a donation tree, the easiest way to connect is through the group’s Facebook page, It Takes a Village 207. The organization is still in need of sponsorships. The need this year is greater than ever and they are hoping to not have to turn anyone away. They post wish lists on their Facebook page to help navigate the most requested items and to help buy for specific kids. It doesn’t matter if people prefer to sponsor a child directly, grab a tag off a giving tree, or simply shop for various items to donate to the boxes around town, it all adds up into giving children a magical Christmas.

Windham’s compassion doesn’t fade once the decorations come down. Throughout the year, area churches offer free community meals every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m.., welcoming anyone in need of a hot meal and friendly conversation. For more information, contact one of the following churches: St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Windham Hill United Church of Christ, and Faith Lutheran Church - all of Windham.

In a world that often feels fast-paced and divided, community spirit stands as a reminder of what truly matters. Whether it’s a middle schooler picking out a gift for another child, a volunteer wrapping a blanket for a senior, or a business hanging donation tags on a tree, each act of generosity reflects the same shared belief: that no one should feel forgotten during the holidays.

As one volunteer put it best, “The success stories are what keep us going, especially from those who have received from our efforts and have given back to the community when life brought a brighter future for them. Every time we hear from a family or see the joy in a child’s eyes, we’re reminded that kindness still shines bright in our communities.” <