News Notes: November 22

The Rotary Club of Sanford-Springvale has been very busy lately. Earlier this month they distributed 6,000 masks to the Sanford Police and Fire Departments as well as Sanford Housing Authority, Sanford School Department and York County Shelters Program. And this past week they presented a check for $1,000 to Mike Ouellette of York County Shelter Programs, at the Food Pantry in Sanford. The money will be used to purchase items needed for the Thanksgiving boxes that will be distributed to the needy in our community.

At his press briefing on Friday, Dr. Nirav Shah of Maine CDC announced there is a Covid-19 outbreak of three cases at the construction site of the new Behavioral Unit at Southern Maine Health Care’s Sanford Medical Center.

The York County Commissioners recently approved a partnership between the York County Sheriff’s Office and Caring Unlimited, who have secured a grant to bring a Domestic Violence Investigator to York County. The grant will provide for a full-time, DV Investigator within the YCSO for the next 3 years. This partnership works in direct alliance with Caring Unlimited’s mission of ending domestic violence in York County. For more information or to contact Caring Unlimited visit: www.caring-unlimited.org.

The Maine Health Access Foundation’s Thriving in Place (TiP) initiative helps people with chronic health conditions (including the elderly and persons with disabilities) maintain or improve their health, so they can remain independent and safe in their homes and communities. They are conducting an online survey as part of their efforts to help make Sanford an age-friendly community. The survey is here and takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

Between November 20 and December 20, Wireless Zone at 1209 Main St. will be collecting donations for the Sanford Food Pantry. They will also donate $5 to the Food Pantry for every device sold during that period.

York County Shelter Programs is currently in need of some clothing items, toiletries and other items for shelter residents. If you can help, please email Stacy Irving at stacyi@ycspi.org or Pam Buck at pamb@ycspi.org to arrange drop offs or to mail gift cards. (Please note that if you are donating items, they can only accept new items.) They need: sweatpants and sweatshirts for men and women, sizes medium, large, extra large and 1X; pants for men and women, all sizes; yoga pants/leggings for women, sizes medium, large and extra large; towels and wash cloths; standard size pillow cases; shampoo, body wash and hair brushes.