DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Androscoggin Hospice Thrift Store at 245 Center St. in Auburn is looking for volunteers to help expand donation and shopping hours. The store has been going strong since June 2020, thanks to the help of many wonderful volunteers, and we are hoping others will join this great team.  All dollars raised from the store go to assist Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice in continuing to provide hospice care for our uninsured and underinsured patients and families. Last year, Androscoggin Home Healthcare + Hospice provided more than $1.5 million in free care.

We are looking for volunteers to serve as sales associates, donation attendants, and to help process items. Volunteers cover three- to four-hour blocks of time and go through two hours of training plus additional on-the-job training. The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years and there is no maximum age. We have volunteers in their 80s who are filled with lots of great energy. You just need to be able to commit to a weekly shift. 

If you are not able to volunteer at this time, but would like to support our cause, you can shop the store and/or donate items. Shopping hours are Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  We take donations Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. 

For a list of items we can and cannot take, visit our website at androscoggin.org/hospicethriftstore.

Those shopping the store always talk about the great items they find, the great prices, the friendly and helpful volunteers, and always share how clean and organized the store is. Be sure to stop by to experience this for yourself.  There’s so much to see!

For more information and to register for volunteer training, contact Kathy Baillargeon, manager of volunteer resources, at 777-7740, ext. 1286.  You can also email her at kathy.baillargeon@androscoggin.org. 

We would like to add a special thanks to Sun Spots for helping us get the word out about our fundraiser plant sale and the need for donations of planters. Thank you to those who donated so many wonderful planters and plants, too. It was a very fun and successful day for all, and proceeds from the sale went directly to supporting our cause. — Kathy, manager of volunteer resources, Auburn

ANSWER: I’m so glad I can be of help. Readers, not only do I highly recommend shopping at and donating to this thrift store, but it seems like it would be a wonderful place to volunteer. When you walk in, you can just feel the good energy.

Remember, if you are involved with a nonprofit organization and need volunteers and/or donations, Sun Spots will certainly help you spread the word.

Sun Spotters, remember that if you are looking for a repair person or have an item to give away, it’s very helpful to include your town and a way to reach you via phone or email. We don’t want to waste anyone’s time and energy.

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.