SeaCoastOnline.com | November 26, 2009

Wells, ME
The Maine Diner and the Portland Pirates ice hockey team will once again join forces to support the 13th annual Gary Pike Day on Wednesday, Dec. 2. All proceeds from food sales at the Route 1 restaurant for that day will be donated to "Gary's House," — a hospitality home for patients and their families battling life-threatening illnesses at Mercy Hospital and at Maine Medical Center. Gary's House is located at 97 State St. in Portland.

This marks the Maine Diner's fourth year of pairing up with the Pirates for this charity. The Portland Pirates team mascot "Crackers," the Mercy Hospital Bear, and the Maine Red Claws basketball team mascot "Crusher" will visit the diner from 5 to 7 p.m. — with other favorite local team mascots — to offer free giveaways of hockey sticks, T-shirts, ice hockey game tickets and an official Portland Pirates jersey. Last year's event raised more than $2,800. "It is our pleasure to once again host this important event and lend our wholehearted support to this very worthy cause," Maine Diner owner Myles Henry said. "This entire day is extremely upbeat and one in which the entire staff and our customers alike rally around this cause. New this year will be visits from the team mascots that I really think the children will enjoy."

Gary Pike was a courageous young Kennebunk boy who lost a two-and-a-half year battle with cancer in 1991. "Gary's House" started as his dream to develop a home to offer comfort to those sharing his experience. Through an outpouring of community support, the Gary Pike Foundation — and hence, the house — was developed in his honor. The foundation helps defray the housing expenses of families or individuals who are in need due to serious life-threatening illnesses.

The Maine Diner also supports the charity by participating in the George Bush Cape Arundel Golf Classic, an event which has been held each spring for the last 14 years.

Originally published online here: http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20091126-NEWS-911260343