Schools around central Maine are helping make Ricky Gibson's dream of lights and bleachers at Maranacook a reality.

Gibson, a Maranacook sophomore, was diagnosed with Pontine Glioma, an aggressive tumor in the brain stem, in September. When Make-A-Wish asked Gibson if he wanted anything, he requested lights and bleachers at the Black Bears' field.

With a total cost estimated at around $200,000, Make-A-Wish helped kick start a fundraiser with a $6,000 donation last week.

On Friday night, schools in the area helped raise more money.

Gibson and some of his Maranacook teammates were guests at the Lawrence/Messalonskee game, where fans donated $1,485. At Cony, freshman football players and cheerleaders went through the crowd and raised $462 for Gibson's dream.

Winthrop donated all the admission fees from Friday's game against Livermore Falls to the Gibson fund.

Anyone wishing to make a donation can send it to Maranacook Football, Inc., P.O. Box 711, Manchester, ME 04351.