Wed, 04/29/2015 - 8:45am

SUSAN JOHNS, Assistant Editor

Outside Wiscasset Middle School on April 28, seventh graders Jade Rego, left, and Shannon James present big versions of the $500 checks going to two area families of children with medical needs. The money was raised at the school’s last annual variety show before next year’s change in the grades the school serves. Adam Giles, father of Sienna Giles, accepts the “check” Rego is holding. Accepting the one James is holding is Cyrus Wilson, holding son Derek Wilson, 2. Joining them are Derek Wilson’s brothers Sam Wilson, 10, center, and Ethan Wilson, 6, far right. SUSAN JOHNS/Wiscasset Newspaper

Two area fathers expressed their thanks April 28, for Wiscasset Middle School’s donations as their children fight illnesses.

Wiscasset Primary School third grader Sienna Giles, 8, daughter of Adam Giles and Kimberly DeCosta, has has been having a medical problem involving her immune system, her father said. She has been out of class lately due to the illness, he said.

Derek Wilson, 2, son of Cyrus and Nicole Wilson of Woolwich, has been battling cancer.

Cyrus Wilson and Adam Giles met at the middle school on Tuesday, when each family received a $500 donation from funds raised in a variety show. Adam Giles said the donation was wonderful; the family is very thankful, he said.

The Wilson family appreciates the students’ fundraising efforts and the generosity the community has shown during their son’s treatment, Cyrus Wilson said.

“Wiscasset really has shown us a lot of love.”

Admission, concessions and a raffle at the April 15 variety show raised $1,548, the school’s administrative assistant Cindy Collamore said Tuesday. The remaining $548 will be saved to donate toward a medical or other crisis that a WMS family experiences, said Collamore, who directed the show. Roger Whitney served as sound director; Carole Drury, choral director, Collamore said.

Jason Drake’s students in the Jobs for Maine’s Graduates program worked the concessions and helped with publicity for the event. Ames Supply, Big Al’s, Round Top Ice Cream in Damariscotta, McDonald’s, Monkey C Monkey Do, Wiscasset Quik Stop and Shaw’s donated items for the raffle, Collamore said.

Over the years, the variety show has raised thousands of dollars for numerous area causes, she said. Collamore did not know if the show will go on in any form after this school year, the school’s last one as a middle school.