DEAR SUN SPOTS: Now that prom is over, the LHS Students Transitioning Experiencing Homelessness Program would like to ask young women and men from our community to donate their prom dresses and suits to our homeless youth for proms to come.

We were able to send six students with beautiful donated dresses and suits off to prom this year and would like to keep our stock of dresses fashionable for proms to come. We imagine there will be more students asking for these opportunities next year.

We would love your help in making this fun night possible and for helping our youth feel stylish, beautiful and handsome! We will also gladly accept Lewiston High School graduation gowns from 2009 and 2010 that are in great condition to loan to our students for the day they have worked so hard for!

Please contact us before June 9 with any donations. With great appreciation,. — Mary Seaman, 795-4190, ext. 2214, mseaman@lewistonpublicschools.org; Annie Doran, 795-4190, ext. 2215, adoran@lewistonpublicschools.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Beginning June 7, people living with depression or bipolar disorder will have a new place to find hope, help and support. There will be regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support group meetings held by people who are experiencing these same mental health issues.

The group will meet at 9:30 a.m. every Monday (except holidays) in Lewiston at the B Street Community Center, at the corner of Bates and Birch streets, in the upstairs conference room. These support groups are open to anyone who is diagnosed with a mood disorder, has a family member or friend who is diagnosed, or who thinks they might have depression or bipolar disorder (also known as manic depression).

These support groups are not run by professionals, but instead offer peer-to-peer support by those that have been there, which is an important component of recovery from mental illness for many people. They will be focusing on the most prevalent mental illnesses, depression and bipolar disorder, though all others may attend.

There are no fees or charges, and people may attend or leave at any time they’d like. Just show up or if you need more info please contact Bill at 784-7167 or Dave at 344-2027. — Bill, Auburn

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am the co-director of Friends Together Peer Support Center in Jay, which is the only resource of peer support for adults who live with a mental illness in all of Franklin County. Due to age, illness, etc., we have recently lost several of our board members. We are hoping that some community members would be willing to step up with an interest to be on our board of directors.

We know that mental illness affects nearly all families in some way and could really use the input of community members as we continue to grow in the area. If anyone might be interested in being on our board, please contact Irene Hebert at 897-3468 or June Watson at 897-9984.

We are also planning our annual fundraiser yard sale for June 5-6 from 9 a. m. to 3 p.m. each day. It will take place at our center at 70 Main St., Jay. We will accept all donations of usable articles, except clothes, from 1 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. Articles may also be left on the side deck of our building. Thank you everyone in advance for all of your assistance. — June Watson, Livermore Falls

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have a box of old French records that I am willing to give away to any organization that involves itself with French heritage or anyone else who might be interested. Please leave a message at 784-8388, and I will return your call. Keep up the good work, Sun Spots! — No Name, Lewiston

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link