Dear Sun Spots: Androscoggin Habitat for Humanity constantly needs volunteers. In fact, with only one part-time employee (an administrative assistant) the organization is run solely by volunteers. There are two urgent needs:

One is for someone to be in charge of volunteers – to receive the phone calls from people who want to help out, maintain a file of those who can be assigned to specific tasks, call them and arrange a schedule. The coordinator would work at home. To learn more about this job, call 786-2598.

The second urgent need is for help at the new ReStore shop. It opened recently at 44 Strawberry Ave. in Lewiston and sells donated construction materials that cannot be used in building Habitat houses. Volunteers are needed to clerk in the store, sort and price the stock, keep records, volunteer with a truck to pick up donations, as well as advertising, publicity and all the functions necessary to run a retail business. Most of these jobs would be done at the store.

The ReStore is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. If enough people volunteer, the store can be opened on Saturdays and, eventually, all week. We also need a donated, van-type, truck to do pick-ups. For more information or to volunteer, call 783-3400.

Beyond these two needs, Androscoggin Habitat will also need people to build a house in the spring. The directors have set April 2 as the launch date for construction. A committee is reviewing a list of 63 families who have applied for a house. Volunteers who put their names on the construction list now will be notified when the need arises. Construction expertise is not required. The work is done under supervision of professionals, who can teach needed skills. Volunteers of all ages are welcome (the minimum age is 16). To volunteer, call 786-2598.

We also need volunteers to serve on the board of directors, which administers Habitat activities. This requires attending a meeting on the third Monday of each month and possibly serving on a subcommittee. There is also an on-going need for people to work at fundraisers such as a food booth at the Great Falls Balloon Festival and the annual golf tournament. Also, volunteers are needed to visit churches and provide information about Habitat. To volunteer for these jobs call 786-2598. Thanks! – Russ Burbank, No Town.

Dear Sun Spots: We are looking for all those pumpkin carvers out there.

I would like to challenge each of you to participate in our sixth annual Parade of Jack-O’-Lanterns. Put your creative talents to the test and work magic. Please bring your works of art to Graceland Road, Auburn, (just past the new St. Dom’s High School) between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, so they can be set up for display. Public viewing will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 29.

Please feel free to also join in the festivities and bring family and friends to the amazing display of pumpkins on parade.

Once again, we are pleased to be the proud sponsors of the Maine Children’s Cancer Society. We will be taking voluntary donations and would appreciate your generosity. Please also be sure to tune in and view the parade on Channel 11. Thank you. – Mrs. O., Lewiston.



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