UMPI’s Annual Employee Holiday Luncheon was held on Dec. 7. As they have for many years, employees placed gifts for foster children under the Giving Tree. Following a buffet lunch provided by Sodexo, a variety of donated items went up for auction, with a number of hotly contested items, like the rolling pins that Al Levesque made and, interestingly enough, some chocolates, lottery tickets and a tiny crown that went for over $200. The proceeds from this annual auction support the Wards of the State, and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services uses the funds raised to buy gifts for the children. This year’s auction and donations raised $2,014.00.