DEAR SUN SPOTS: To help the victims of the fires, I decided to go through my closet and kitchen for items I had doubles of or had not used for more than six months. I had towels, curtains, a comforter, clothing, mixer, slow cooker, etc.

I wasn’t sure where to take them but finally ended up at the Salvation Army store on Main Street. The next day I went back to the store and asked about the donations specifically for the fire victims and how they were processed.

I was told all donations are taken to Portland, where they are sorted and redistributed to all the the stores, and the chances of items coming back to Lewiston were pretty slim. I was quite upset and had my bags still been there, I would have taken them back.

I wanted my items to go to the fire victims in our community. I think the Salvation Army should have given me options and informed me of places that were accepting items to distribute to the community victims. I now know the YWCA is doing just that. — J.P., Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots spoke to Jay, the manager at the Main Street store. He said that because the Salvation Army received so many items after the fires that the store actually ran out of room for donations. (He said that the YWCA and Red Cross also were inundated.)

This generosity meant that some of the items had to be sent to Portland for storage, but Jay said that if they find they need a particular item they can call the warehouse and have it sent back to their store.

So even though your items may not have gone immediately and directly to the fire victims, they are helping.

As for the fire victims, to get what they need at the store they must first go to the Salvation Army center at 67 Park St. (783-0801) and get a voucher. That voucher enables them to go to the stores and select the specific items they need.

While your items may have taken a detour to a Portland warehouse, in the long run your generosity and that of the rest of the community has enabled the Salvation Army to help dozens of fire victims put their lives back together.

DEAR SUN SPOTS, I am looking for a good used wheel and tire for a utility trailer. The trailer is manufactured by the Carry-On Trailer Corp. This trailer is the one with the diamond-mesh flooring and tailgate/ramp that Lowes, Tractor Supply and Home Depot sell. The size is ST 175/80D 13 with a five-hole bolt pattern.

If anyone has one in good condition and is willing to sell it at a reasonable price, I would be interested. I can be contacted at the phone number or email address I have provided. Thank you. — Carl Witham, carbonn@megalink.net, 336-2474

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I read Sun Spots every day. You do so many good things for everybody. Thank you so much.

Now for the lady who has canceled postage stamps (April 26), I save them — any from the U.S., Canada, Europe, anywhere. I’d be very happy to have them. They can drop them off or mail them to me.

I will be very appreciative of anybody who sends me canceled stamps. — Lucille Levesque, 41 Pleasant St., Auburn, ME 04210, 783-6890

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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