Dear Sun Spots: I was wondering if anyone knows of any organizations set up to help children for Christmas? I have four children, ages 9, 5 and 2-year-old twins.

Because of oil and gas prices, we would like to receive some help for Christmas this year. We live in Turner.

If you know of an organization, could you please pass that information along. Thank you. – Mom of Four in Turner.

Answer: Sun Spots wonders if you’ve also checked with local agencies regarding the home energy assistance program?

Contact Community Concepts to discuss the HEAP program as well as other agency programs that might be able to assist you and and your family, 795-4065 in Auburn; 743-7716 in South Paris and 364-3721 in Rumford.

Sun Spots would also encourage you and others seeking assistance during the holidays to consider contacting the following for clothing and other assistance:

The Salvation Army at their Lewiston chapter. Ask them about the Toys for Tots program, 783-0801; Trinity Episcopal Church. They are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon; Court Street Baptist Church, 129 Court St., Auburn, 784-6661. They take donations of good used clothes and give them away free. They are open Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and have clothes such as coats, jackets, skirts, slacks and more for babies, children, teens, men and women; Hope Haven Gospel Mission, Lewiston, 783-6086; St. Martin De Porres Residence, Lewiston, 786-4690; Salvation Army, Lewiston, 783-0801; Trinity Jubilee Center, Lewiston, 782-5700; Sisters of Charity Food Pantry, Lewiston, 786-4909; Good Shepherd Food-Bank, Auburn, 782-3554; High Street Congregational Church Food Pantry, Auburn, 783-0714; Seventh-day Adventist Church Pantry, Auburn, 784-0861; Court Street Baptist Church Pantry, Auburn, 784-6661; St. Louis Church Food Pantry, Auburn, 784-9087.

You might also check with the Women Infant Children (WIC) program. It provides food as well as nutrition tips, recipes and other support. The program provides milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, iron-fortified cereal, peanut butter or dried beans. In the summer the program also provides vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables from Maine farmers.

Those in Androscoggin or Oxford counties should call 795-4016, or 1-877-512-8856; Franklin County 1-800-645-9636, 645-3764 in the Wilton area, or 621-6202, 888-942-6333 in Augusta. To find a WIC program outside of these areas, please phone 1-800-437-9300.

WIC also provides support for smoking cessation, and is also starting a peer counselor program for this as well. Any pregnant, recently post-partum, or breastfeeding women, as well as their infants and children up to the age of 5 are encouraged to participate. You must meet income guidelines, which are quite high compared to some other programs, or have proof of MaineCare eligibility.

Dear Sun Spots: This is in response to the person who wanted to know where the Auburn Private Hospital was (Sun Spots inquiry Nov. 3). It was located at 33 Western Prom in Auburn. I lived across the street. It was operated by a mother and daughter; both registered nurses. The last name was McGuillvrey.

I am not sure when it opened, but I lived there in the ’20s and ’30s. I believe it closed some time in the ’40s due to illness. – M.B., No Town.

Answer: Readers interested in this might also consider checking with Michael Lord of the Androscoggin Historical Society. You can reach him at 784-0586, Wednesday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. Fridays).

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