A big effort

BEST COSTUMES - A pirate ship was the ride for Belen and Flower, who took first prize at a dog costume parade in Rockport last weekend. Their owner is Kris Geils of Saugus. The parade was a benefit for Cape Ann Animal Aid. (robert spencer for the boston globe)

Katie Drohosky may be little, but she's on a big mission.

The third-grader at Spofford Pond School in Boxford is collecting new teddy bears to be distributed to young cancer patients in the Jimmy Fund Clinic at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

"My grandfather died from cancer five years ago, and I want to do something to help cancer patients," Drohosky said, adding she specifically wishes to help young patients.

"Last year, I delivered 50 new teddy bears and promised I would be back," she said. "I am hoping to add 20 more teddy bears this year."

Donations of new bears can be left in the collection bin in the lobby of the Spofford Pond School through tomorrow.

SPECIAL TRIBUTE: Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody hosts a special Memorial Day Tribute at 11 a.m. Sunday to men and women of the US armed forces who fought or died for their country.

Families and loved ones of veterans are invited to attend a remembrance ceremony with area dignitaries. Music is provided by renowned bagpiper Ian Masse.

Those wishing to have a family member included on a veterans' board, which is displayed through the holiday, can contact Puritan, providing his or her name, service affiliation, and service period.

Lynn McNeil of Lynn, whose husband, Frank, a World War II veteran, was buried at Puritan almost 10 years ago, said the Memorial Day event is meaningful. "You take pride in the fact that we're still honoring people who have done so much for our country," she said. "It makes you feel like your loved ones are here with you, celebrating too."

In addition to the ceremony, Puritan Lawn displays 50 veterans' burial flags along the main boulevard. Families wishing to participate can drop off flags at the main office. The flags are returned after the holiday. Call 978-535-3660.

HIGH PROFILE: The crew of Ablevision, a local television show produced and hosted by people with disabilities from Triangle in Malden, recently scored an exclusive interview with actor Kevin James on the set of "Mall Cop" at the Burlington Mall.

In addition to a 10-minute interview with the star of the television show "The King of Queens," the Ablevision crew got a tour of the movie set and had lunch with the crew and James's publicist.

A portion of the interview can be seen on ablevision.org. The complete interview will air on an upcoming episode of Ablevision, which can be seen on more than 40 local community access stations throughout Massachusetts.

Triangle is a nonprofit that provides programs and services to people with mental and physical disabilities, including employment, job placement, residences, and social services. It aids more than 2,000 people throughout the state each year. Visit triangle-inc.org.

ENCORE PERFORMANCE: The fourth annual production of "The Vagina Monologues" at the West End Theater in Gloucester, today through Sunday, benefits Help for Abused Women and Children, based in Salem.

The cast of the Eve Ensler play is made up of women from Cape Ann, including some who appeared in earlier productions and some new faces.

Performances are tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. The theater is in the Blackburn Building, 1 Washington St. Tickets are $15. Call 978-281-0680.

WHO'S WHAT WHERE: Morgan Foster, a senior at Triton Regional High School in Newbury, has received the 2008 Peace Fellowship Award of $1,000 from Greater Newburyport WAND, Women's Action for New Direction. Foster was recognized for her commitment and actions toward promoting peace and social justice in the community. Since the age of 8, she has walked in, and later led teams of walkers, in the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center's Walk Against Violence, raising nearly $100,000. She also created a teen violence prevention presentation for her school. . . . Mary Ballway of Boxford, a physical therapy student at Northeastern University, was recently honored by Hearth, a Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to the elimination of homelessness among the elderly. She was recognized for volunteering her time to teach a weekly exercise class to residents of the Uphams Corner ElderHouse in Dorchester.

Items can be sent to wdkilleen@gmail.com. Photos can be sent, as jpeg attachments, to globenorth@globe.com.