DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks for all your great information. A few years ago, the Creative Sewing Center in Auburn sponsored a program called Project Christmas Stocking, which collected stockings and stocking stuffers for orphanage children.

I tried the number posted for the Sewing Center, but it was disconnected, and the store appears to be gone from the plaza. I would like to help with Project Christmas Stocking again. Maybe you can find out about it. — Vic, Sabattus

ANSWER: Sun Spots was notified early this year by Ron at Cote Brothers Sewing Machine that both Cote and the Creative Sewing Center, under new owners, had moved to separate locations.

After getting your letter, she emailed Ron, who informed her that the Creative Sewing Center closed in May.

Ron said Cote Brothers is still repairing sewing machines and selling new ones, including the Juki line, and has also increased its line of sewing notions. Cote’s is at 200 Auburn Road, Turner, ME 04282 (next to Dunkin’ Donuts), 225-5920.

While Project Christmas Stocking may be kaput, there are many other similar efforts you might want to help. Sun Spots has had a request for volunteers (many holiday based) in the column nearly every day for the last couple of weeks. Here are a couple more.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I need to find a quilt group willing to work on a quilt that I originally planned to do as a fundraiser for our church. It is important that I get this quilt done, as our little church, Hartford Community Church, could use a fundraiser.

The pattern is called Biblical blocks sampler series by Rosemary Makhan. I have gorgeous fabrics for this quilt. It has the Tree of Life central medallion in the center.

I want to learn more about this type of quilting and am willing to help. I know quilt groups do help charities occasionally and am hoping that some group will take this on. I know it will be a fantastic fundraiser for our church.

If you want to help me with this worthy project, there will be fabric left over, I am sure, as I bought more than needed. Thank you. — Arlene Nason, 224-7355, cobaltcats@gmail.com

DEAR SUN SPOTS: We are writing to ask for help from our wonderful community. We are seeking yarn for our volunteer knitters, and we need more volunteers from our community to work with our elderly clients who are waiting for someone to visit them and provide companionship and to help them with their errands. One of our clients is a man in his 90s who would like to have a male volunteer to spend time with him and play cards and such.

We are in need of four-ply yarn of all colors, in good condition, to support our volunteers who are busy knitting hats, mittens, baby items, and afghans, which in turn are given to the needy of all ages in Androscoggin County. The yarn is donated to SEARCH and given out to our knitters as needed.

Our SEARCH program (Seek Elderly Alone, Renew, Courage, & Hope) is part of Catholic Charities Maine at 270 Minot Ave., Auburn. We have wonderful volunteers who are matched to our elderly clients. They help the clients by making reassurance calls, home visits or by assisting them with errands.

If you are interested in volunteering with the elderly, I would love to talk to you about joining our program and volunteering with us!

For more information about donating yarn or becoming a volunteer with us, please call our office at 784-0157. Thank you for your donations, and we hope that you will join our program by becoming a volunteer and help make a difference in the life of a senior in your community! With much gratitude. — Wendy Russell, program director, wrussell@ccmaine.org

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.

Copy the Story Link