We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Jack Callahan, Sr., who died on Christmas day after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Project GRACE is honored to count Jack and his wife Janet among our staunchest of friends and supporters. An active member of our board of directors, Jack had until very recently served as our treasurer, keeping a steady hand on the tiller for many years. Jack was a kind and wise mentor, keeping us looking forward with optimism. And always gently guiding us to open our hearts to those in the community who needed a helping hand. To Janet and all of Jack's family and friends, we offer our condolences and love.

Inn by the Sea is very involved with the community all year long, but one of the highlights is their annual Holiday Giving Tree where guests are invited to keep paper ornaments made by local school children in exchange for gifts for community members who are less fortunate. 

This tree collects warm hats, mittens and gloves, scarves, and chapsticks which Project GRACE then shares with kids throughout the community.

Giving trees for Project GRACE sponsored by community groups and local businesses include:

• Big 20 Bowling: new toys and games for boys and girls & fuel assistance
• Chicago Dogs: fuel and various gifts
• Gallery Hair Salon: fuel and various gifts
  
• Inn by the Sea: hats, scarves, mittens and gloves
  
• Maine Indoor Karting: Karting gift certificates
• Piper Shores: new toys for boys and girls
• Stantec: new toys for boys and girls
• St. Max: fuel assistance and various gifts
• West Scarborough United Methodist Church: gifts for boys and girls

Look for trees starting the weekend of Thanksgiving.

At the heart of a community that looks after its own, Project GRACE is leading the way. We are neighbors helping neighbors.

As you consider your year-end giving choices, we hope you will invest in us and in your community by telling a friend about Project GRACE or by giving generously to our Annual Fund Campaign. Together we can bring comfort and help to our neighbors right here, right now.  

This week the Scarborough Town Council will be considering its process for outside agency funding.

Project GRACE is always pleased to partner with the Town in addressing the needs of the most vulnerable in the community. For example, to highlight just one, we have a highly successful partnership with the Town to raise funds for fuel assistance, which benefits especially families and seniors during the coldest months.

In every community, including right here in Scarborough, there are those who are facing hardship, whether because they are temporarily unable to work due to illness or injury, or are working full time but in low-paying jobs, or have seen a reduction in hours at work. Perhaps a divorce or death or serious illness has put a neighbor's ability to pay for essentials or take care of their kids in jeopardy. Life hands us surprises; and some of them are tough to deal with alone. Some of our neighbors are living on low fixed incomes which simply do not keep pace with the rising costs of paying for food, prescription medicines, and fuel to keep homes warm. Even when gas and oil prices drop, when you are living on less than $25,000 a year, it's still very difficult to make ends meet. We recently audited some of our case files over the past five years or so and found that most of those asking for help needed a modest boost only once or twice to get them through a tough patch.

We of course don't do all this alone; there are many worthy efforts throughout Scarborough who lend a hand when it really counts, and Project GRACE is very fortunate to have many longstanding partnerships. We are very thankful for all who join us in caring about our neighbors. We think it makes for a stronger, healthier, happier community, too.