DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m a volunteer with Rebuilding Together Lewiston/Auburn and am wondering if you could help us find homes to renovate this year.

Our nonprofit organization is supported entirely by contributions of time, labor, material and money. We are dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to financial hardship, age and/or disability, cannot do the work themselves.

Skilled and unskilled volunteers alongside able-bodied members of the recipient’s family and friends complete the repairs at no cost to the homeowner.

The work is conducted on one weekend every year. This year, Rebuilding Day is Saturday, Oct. 9. Rebuilding Together Lewiston/Auburn will accept house applications until Sept. 15. Applications can be downloaded from our website at www.rebuildingtogetherla.org. You can also contact us at rebuildingtogetherla@gmail.com .

Volunteers are also needed. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us through the email address above, or call 344-3232. — Russ, no town

ANSWER: Excellent! There’s not much time left to get in an application for repairs so tend to this right away if you need assistance.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: While my brother was serving in the U.S. Navy, his belongings were stored in my basement. Along came Hurricane Gloria; my basement was flooded and his Lewiston High School Class of 1982 yearbook was destroyed. If there is anyone who has this yearbook and would be willing to part with it, I will pay for it. I’d love to send it to my brother, who lives out of state. My email address is: patfecteau@yahoo.com. – Pat, no town

ANSWER: I have a hunch another Sun Spotter will be happy to accommodate you, but just in case, you may want to try contacting the school with your request. Another option is to search for the yearbook on the website, classmates.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Since I haven’t been able to have a yard sale for several years, I am willing to donate household items to refugees from Afghanistan if they are going to settle here. Please give me contact information for Catholic Charities of Maine. I’d like to know if they will be helping them. — No name, no town

ANSWER: Catholic Charities of Maine works with refugees from all over the world, but they don’t yet have any information about when Afghan families may be coming here. When and if families arrive, Catholic Charities will be responsible as a resettlement agency for providing services, including housing, medical services, employment, etc.

Families can still choose to come to Maine after initial resettlement, but now they are initially resettling in 10 other states.

You can help all refugees, no matter what country they are coming from, by doing the following:

• Contributing financially to Refugee and Immigration Services. Donate online, be sure to designate your donation toward Refugee and Immigration. The online address is: www.ccmaine.org/refugee-immigration-services/support/donate

• Organizing a fundraiser to pool resources as a community for further support.

• Volunteering with Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services, www.ccmaine.org/volunteer/jobs).

• Donating furniture and household items to Catholic Charities Refugee and Immigration Services to help refugees set up a household at www.ccmaine.org/refugee-immigration-services/support/donate.

• Host an educational program about refugees and the resettlement process in your community.

For more information, go to ccmaine.org where there is an online email form and a Wish List, or call the Portland office at  1-800-781-8550.

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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