DEAR SUNSPOTS: On behalf of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation to the sponsors of our party celebrating the grand reopening of the playground at Sunnyside Park.

By my own estimation, about 200 neighbors attended the party, enjoying food, games, fun and meeting each other. It was a truly incredible experience to see neighbors gathering for this celebration of a dream that was two years in the making. The heartbeat of our special neighborhood is once again beating strongly.

The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association wants to continue improving our neighborhood and would like to invite neighbors to come to the table with problems and solutions as well as identifying the neighborhood’s assets.

It is our hope that our sponsors understand how invaluable their donations, both monetary and in-kind, and their commitment and time to our neighborhood has meant to the members of SNA , our neighbors, and most of all our children, who will enjoy the use of the playground.

We would like to thank the following sponsors: Bates College Dining; Burger King on Main Street; Jerry Carrier; the city of Lewiston’s Departments of Economic and Community Development, Fire, Police, Public Works and Recreation; Central Maine Medical Center; Coastal T-Shirts; Hannaford Supermarket on Sabattus Street; Jessy Kendall; Infab Refractories; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 567; Jan Mayes; Pineland Lumber; Police Athletic League; Sam’s Italian Sandwich Shop; United Ambulance; Utz Potato Chips; The Visible Community; Rep. Richard Wagner; and our neighbors who showed up to volunteer and enjoy our celebration.

We want to especially thank the L/A Fund and Lewiston’s elected officials for providing funding for this amazing playground, and Mark McComas who has gone over and above the call of duty from the inception of our organization, to the installation of the playground, to the cleanup of the party.

If neighbors would like to join us in continuing improving our neighborhood and community, they can log on to our website at www.sunnysidelewiston.weebly.com. — Rachel Rodrigue, rrodrigue@rocketmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: On June 22, you published my list of donations requested for veterans hospitalized or receiving treatment at the Togus VA Medical Center. The report from Togus is that the response has been “amazing,” so here’s a big “thank-you” to all of Sun Spots’ readers!

Even with so many people struggling just to make ends meet these days, Sun Spots’ readers have shown their generosity, kindness and thoughtfulness by making our veterans’ lives more comfortable, and for that I am truly humbled and grateful. I am very proud to be part of such a wonderful community!

If anyone missed the June article and has questions about volunteering or donating to Togus, please feel free to contact Mysti Grass at the Togus VA Voluntary Services Office, 621-4886, ext. 5286, or call toll free at 1-877-421-8263, ext. 4886. Thanks for your help, Sun Spots! — Phyllis Arnold Rand, Togus VA Voluntary Services Representative, phyllis_rand@yahoo.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I work for the animals at the animal shelter in Lewiston. I am knitting blankets for the cats in the shelter. If you know someone who has yarn that they don’t use, please call me at 777-1593. I don’t have a car. If you could bring the yarn to me, I will pay for your gas. I am 86 years old. I really like my job. I enjoy knitting. It passes the day. — Germaine Nolan, 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.