Thank you for considering a gift to the Biddeford Free Clinic during the holiday season. Your gift will help us to continue the mission of the BFC which is to provide FREE medical and non-narcotic prescription medication for the uninsured. We appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Biddeford Cares, in conjunction with the Heart of Biddeford, launched a campaign to “light up”  downtown Biddeford for the holiday season. More than 38 non-profit agencies volunteered to decorate windows in vacant storefronts on Main Street and Alfred Street from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Please take the time, when you are downtown, to view the creative designs in the windows. The lights are on from 4-10PM each evening. The Biddeford Free Clinic has decorated a window on Alfred Street across the street from the Jewel of India Restaurant.

The holidays can be especially difficult this time of the year when you are grieving. Hospice of Southern Maine is offering both daytime and evening support groups focusing on navigating this difficult challenge.

The daytime group will take place on 8 Thursdays starting November 11 and ending January 6, 2011. The evening group will start on 8 consecutive Wednesdays, beginning November 10 and ending January 5, 2011.

FMI: Contact Carol Schoneberg at Hospice of Southern Maine at 289-3651, or cschoneberg@hospiceofsouthernmaine.org.

Over the course of  Biddeford Savings Bank – Music on Main Street Concerts in the Park  seven-year history, the series has raised money to help food banks, free medical clinics, social services agencies and arts organizations. This summer, there were four concerts on four consecutive Thursdays. Patrons who bought a $5 barbecue lunch effectively contributed to the charitable pool. The Old Fashioned Lobster Bake & BBQ Co. donated their time and labor, and all proceeds from the lunch sales went to those in need.

Thank you to the following sponsors:

Paquin & Carroll Insurance, Mainely Newspapers, Journal Tribune, Ethos Marketing & Design, Sun Chronicle, Edward J. Hirst, DMD, Hull Law Offices, LLC, Smith, Elliott, Smith & Garmey, P.A., The Old Fashioned Lobster Bake & BBQ Co., Biddeford Savings Bank, Oak Point Associates, Dean Tourigny, DDS, Heart of Biddeford

Residents of Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach and other York County towns can apply for assistance with installing home weatherization kits. United Way of York County will partner with Habitat for Humanity and The New School of Kennebunk for the Keep York County Warm program. Installation will take place from Oct.23 to Nov.21. Residents should contact their town’s general assistance office for more information.

The Kappa Chapter of Sigma Sigma Phi hosted its annual “UNECOM Turkey Trot” 5K race on November 6 to benefit the Biddeford Free Clinic. Now in its fourth year, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine student-organized event has raised more than $1500 each year to support the Biddeford Free Clinic.

Thank You!

In September, the Biddeford Free Clinic received a $5000 grant from Bank of America for its  Dental Wellness Center. The contribution will help the DWC continue to meet the dental needs of our BFC patients. We are grateful to the Bank of America for their long standing support of the Biddeford Free Clinic.

Direct Relief International provides medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil unrest at home and throughout the world. The BFC has been fortunate to receive donations from Direct Relief International for the last two years.

Thank you Direct Relief International

ABLE……National Able Network. If you want to earn money from a good paying job, and you are interested in on-the-job training, AND you are 55 years or older…call the Senior Community Service Employment Program at 800-655-6073

On Saturday, September 25, 2010 you can turn in your unused or expired medications from

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. It’s free and anonymous.

Local Collection Sites:

• Biddeford – Public Works Dept.  -  371 Hill St
• Saco – Amtrak Transportation Center – 130 Main St
• OOB – Old Orchard Beach Ballpark – Ballpark Way, off of E. Emerson Cummings Blvd
• Kennebunk – Former Big Apple – 51 Main St

For more information or questions you can call Karen Chasse, Community Relations at Southern Maine Medical Center – 282-7238