The Wiscasset Community Center's programs can keep a whole family active or help someone get strong enough to return to work.

But what if someone can't afford the fees to tap what the center has to offer?

That's where the Cooper-DiPerri Scholarship Fund comes in.

“This fund is essential,” said Todd Souza, director of the Wiscasset Department of Parks & Recreation. “It helps reach out to everybody and make this place available to everybody.”

On August 6 at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport, the fund will be one of the causes sharing in donations collected during the “Wings Over Wiscasset” event.

The scholarship fund is named in memory of two civic-minded, longtime Wiscasset residents. Both Douglas Cooper and Dr. Charles DiPerri served on the local school board.

Cooper, who was also on Wiscasset's budget committee exercised at the Wiscasset Community Center and tried every program offered there, according to information the department provided.

DiPerri, a member of the Wiscasset Fire Society and Lincoln Lodge #3, died before the center was built.

However, his family and Cooper's started the fund in 2000 in the two men's names to help people have healthy physical, mental and emotional lifestyles.

Plans call for the department to have a tent at “Wings” with people on hand to answer questions, Souza said. Admission to the daylong event at the airport is free, but visitors are welcome to make “at-will” donations.

An anonymous donor has offered to match the day's donations, “Wings” organizers have said.

“It's fantastic,” Souza said about the scholarship fund's selection as one of the beneficiaries of the fund-raising. “We couldn't be more appreciative.”

The 15-year-old, town-owned community center has a six-lane pool, multipurpose gymnasium, hot tub, fitness center and senior center.

Tax-deductible donations toward scholarships may be made payable to the Cooper-DiPerri Scholarship Fund, Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578.

Susan Johns can be reached at 207-844-4633 or susanjohns@wiscassetnewspaper.com.