DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’d like to start a nonprofit fund to help people pay for expensive veterinary bills for surgeries. I want to rent a booth at a flea market selling my items, and all proceeds would go toward this. What do I have to do to set up an account and get nonprofit status? Thank you. — G.W. via e-mail

ANSWER: Sun Spots thinks your cause is extremely worthy, and she applauds your efforts to help animals. There are an endless number of websites (http://nonprofit.about.com/, http://tinyurl.com/37fbuz, http://tinyurl.com/yf8kktr) that you could turn to to help you figure out how to start a nonprofit 501(c)(3), but it is not a simple process.

You will need to form a mission statement, select a board of directors, file articles of incorporation, draft bylaws, develop a record-keeping and accounting system, and apply for a federal employer identification number. This is just to get started. Tax time will be just as much fun.

According to wikihow.com, many people have formed nonprofits without an attorney’s assistance, but many of the sites Sun Spots checked recommended doing so.

Sun Spots has an alternative suggestion. Instead of spending all your time doing the paperwork for your own nonprofit, you could donate to or join with an existing one.

For example, the American Animal Hospital Association, www.aahahelpingpets.org, is one group that helps pay for veterinary bills. If you want your donations to be more Maine oriented, perhaps the local humane society or other animal welfare group would be willing to accept your donations for a special fund to be used only for veterinary care.

Sun Spots recently received assistance from the “Cleo Fund,” which is a program sponsored by the Maine-based Animal Welfare Society (www.animalwelfaresociety.org). It worked with her veterinarian to reduce the cost of spaying a starving stray cat she rescued to $40.

If you donate to a registered charity, you will be able to take deductions for those donations on your personal income taxes. In addition to the actual cash donations, you can track supplies, mileage, etc. and deduct those as well. Be sure to keep records and receipts.

If your donations are substantial enough, maybe you could even get them to let you name the fund!

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Congregational Church of East Sumner invites children in the surrounding communities to participate in this year’s vacation Bible school during the week of July 26., Monday through Friday, at 8:45 a.m. and concludes daily at noon.

The program is designed for children entering kindergarten to those entering sixth grade. Older youth are welcome to come and help in the activities. This year’s program will be assisted by a visiting youth group from Fredericksburg, Va.

The vacation Bible school will conclude with an evening closing program and ice cream social on Friday, July 30. All of the events are at the church in East Sumner village on Route 219. For more information and preregistration call Bill or Linda at 388-2263.

The church also has several other summer events planned:

Wednesday, July 21: Senior lunch and bingo at noon; the knitting group meets at 4 p.m.

Saturday, July 24, at 5:30 p.m.: Public meatloaf supper

Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m.: First Saturday supper

Aug. 14, 6:30 p.m.: Second Saturday community movie

Worship at the church is every Sunday from 9 to 10 a.m. with refreshments and a sermon discussion following. All youth are invited downstairs during worship for “Summer Sundays” to work in the vegetable garden, make puppets and crafts, act out skits and read Bible verses. — Cynthia Norton, Sumner

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.

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