LEWISTON – Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care Executive Director Estelle Rubinstein said the friends and family of Therese Gagne gave donations after Mrs. Gagne’s death on March 20.

Her family requested that donations be made to Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care. Said Rubinstein, “These donations were used to purchase books for each of our 18 classrooms.

The children were so excited to look at and read the new books, and we greatly appreciate Mrs. Gagne’s family for thinking of Androscoggin Head Start during their time of sorrow. These books will be here for a long time and will be able to help many children learn to read.”

Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care has provided child development services to pregnant women, families and children, newborn to age 5, for 40 years. Program options include full day, half day, home based, home start, family childcare and infant and toddler early Head Start.

Services are provided annually to more than 400 children and families throughout Androscoggin County. Centers are located in Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon Falls, Livermore Falls, Mechanic Falls and Turner.

Applications are accepted at any time. Most Head Start programs are free to eligible children. Full day childcare services are available on a sliding fee scale for parents who are working, continuing their education, or participating in job training.

Call 795-4040 for more information or visit www.androkids.com. Androscoggin Head Start and Child Care is a United Way funded and Lewiston and Auburn CDBG supported agency.