Dear Sun Spots: If any organization is collecting printer ink cartridges for fund-raising purposes, I have accumulated several. You can call me at (207) 783-4872 and I will be happy to drop them off.

Also, I’d like to start a chapter of the American Sewing Guild. So far the closest one is in Bangor. Guild members get 10 percent off every purchase at Jo-Ann’s Fabrics, plus many other perks. Local groups meet to sew for charity and also learn new techniques. If you sew and you’re interested, check out their Web site at www.asg.org or call me at (207) 783-4872. – Kathy Williamson, Auburn.

Answer: To donate your ink cartridges for fund-raising purposes, you can contact Recycle for Breast Cancer, a no-cost, national fund-raising program to help the fight against breast cancer while benefiting the environment. For more information, visit their Web site at www.recycleforbreastcancer.org, e-mail them at [email protected] or call (800) 315-9580. You also can donate used cell phones, pagers, Palm Pilots, inkjet and toner cartridges and surplus supplies.

In regards to the American Sewing Guild, according to their Web site, benefits for members include: discounts on sewing-related materials and tools; Notions Magazine, a guild publication; and the guild conference which members can attend for a discounted price.

The guild welcomes members of all skill levels. Learning new skills, networking with others who share an interest in sewing and having the opportunity to contribute to community service projects is the “common thread.”

The guild has more than 125 chapters, with nearly 1,000 Neighborhood Groups. There may be a neighborhood group that meets nearby. Try contacting the president of the nearest chapters to find out. Perhaps you’ll find a group that meets in a nearby town. Or maybe one of the chapters would like to help you organize a small group in your town. You can contact them at Bangor Chapter ASG, Stacey Hughes, 4 Getchell Road, Clifton, Maine 04428, (207) 843-7662 or by e-mail at [email protected]. You can also visit their Web site, www.bangormeasg.com.

Starting a new chapter involves:

1. Requesting and reading information about guild and the development process. You will be contacted by the guild and receive Kit No. 1.

2. Hosting an organizational meeting, with the help of Kit No. 2.

3. Recruiting at least five people to serve as an organizing committee and another 10 to join the guild to get started.

4. You’ll get Kit No. 3 and a small amount of seed money to give you a head start. After completing a successful year, which includes chapter meetings, an event or two, publishing a newsletter and recruiting more members, there will be a new chapter to add to the ranks.

The guild will provide the kits needed. If interested, contact them at the Web site, www.asg.org, or call them at (713) 729-3000.

Dear Sun Spots: I am writing for my husband, Marco Giancotti. Since he retired from Marco’s Restaurant, he has taken up the hobby of caning chairs, doing rush and weaving. If your readers are interested in finding someone to do this kind of work, have them contact Marco at (207) 883-8854. – Carmen Giancotti, No Town.

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