DEAR SUN SPOTS: My granddaughter is interested in playing the flute in the school band. I was told there is an organization who donates instruments for those who cannot afford to buy or rent. Do you know the name or contact information for this organization? Thank you. — Mary, Rumford

ANSWER: Sun Spots does not recall any such service. Neither, it appears, do those who teach the children how to play.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Are there any Sun Spots readers who could donate a musical instrument to the Lewiston Elementary Schools instrumental program?

We have many students who would like to participate who cannot for lack of an instrument or the means to acquire one. Zach Lampron and I teach violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, sax, trumpet, baritone, French horn, trombone, tuba and percussion in grades 4 through 6 and would appreciate any help along these lines. — Greg Boardman, gboardman@lewistonpublicschools.org

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like the address to order holiday labels. Thank you. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots guesses you mean labels with your return address on them in a holiday theme?

There may be local sources for those, and Sun Spots hopes readers will let her know.

She does have one suggestion. Many, if not most, charities, send out labels after you donate to their cause. Veteran groups, animal causes, environmental issues and health care are just a few of the charities who have sent Sun Spots labels.

You don’t need to send them a lot of money. Even $5 will put you on their list for future requests and thus the free labels.

Sun Spots went through her old holiday labels to see who had last sent them. She had some from:

* St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101

* National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190

* Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

The downside of this is that you will need to harden your heart, as the requests for additional gifts will keep on coming. But so will the labels!

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 emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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