DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you want to make a difference in the lives of hospice patients facing the end of life, and their families? Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice, a nonprofit organization, is looking for volunteers to join the hospice team, providing companionship to patients and respite for family members. In the training you will learn about the history and philosophy of hospice, family dynamics, spirituality, communication, the adult disease process and other end-of-life issues. Volunteers are needed in the Lewiston, Augusta, Norway, Bridgton and Farmington areas. All that is needed is a love for helping others, a commitment of one full year, the willingness to commit to two to four hours per week, and the ability to attend the 21-hour Hospice Training. Ask about our new online training that includes some in-class time. Classes start in Farmington on Friday, Oct. 12.

For more information and to register, contact Volunteer Resources at 207-795-9580 or email us at volunteer@androscoggin.org.

— Kathy, no town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the request for a massage therapist in the Sept. 25 Sun Spots, I would highly recommend Ken Richards, a deep-tissue neuromuscular massage therapist specializing in pain management and relief. His main office is at 236 Broadway in Farmington (207-778-4990) but he is also in Auburn on Thursdays at Huber Associates on Minot Avenue (207-783-3393). He has treated me for a frozen shoulder, neuropathy pain from a broken foot, plantar fasciitis and soreness in tendons and ligaments, among other painful aging ailments. He has eliminated my pain and restored my quality of life.

— Denise, no town

ANSWER: Massage therapy is an alternative health care module that can help remedy so many health issues of not just a physical nature, but of an emotional and mental nature as well. It was been proven that regular appointments with a trained, certified professional massage therapist is something proactive we can do to boost our well-being and help to ensure that we spend less time being sick.

Traditional medicine in the United States, as well as more and more insurance companies, are recognizing the benefits of massage and other alternative health care practices such as acupuncture, reflexology, aromatherapy and Reiki.

Readers, if you have other practitioners you would like to recommend, I will happily add them to the Rolodex.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: High Street Congregational Church in Auburn is seeking crafters for its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are renting 8-foot tables for $20 each. We are especially looking for crafters of pet-related articles, woodworking crafts and wreaths made with natural materials/kissing balls, etc. Please call Rose at 207-784-1306 or email office@highstreet-ucc.org for an application.

— Rose, no town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: A friend told me she read in a recent Sun Spots that a reader had art supplies to donate to a nonprofit. The SHARECenter in Auburn would like to remind everyone that we always welcome any surplus art supplies you may have. These items get to educators in the classroom and are used by school children. We are at 33 Industry Road in Auburn. Please contact me at 207-333-6671.

— Lisa, no town

ANSWER: Thanks for the reminder, Lisa. More information can also be found about this organization on their Facebook page at Auburn SHARECenter.

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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