DEAR SUNSPOTS: Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin is pleased to announce our first in-person tutor training since the pandemic began. The eight-hour workshop will be held over two consecutive days, June 2 and 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at USM/Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St. in Lewiston.

Volunteers are needed to serve as tutors as well as English conversation partners. If you are age 21 or older, have at least a 12th grade reading level, are patient, organized, and a good listener, you can be a Literacy Volunteer. Registration is required.

For information call 753-6658 or email literacy@literacyvolunteersandro.org. Details can also be found on our website at  http://www.literacyvolunteersandro.org. – Tahlia, Director, Literacy Volunteers-Androscoggin, Lewiston

ANSWER: If you have the time and energy to give to this wonderful organization, please do. You will gain so much from the experience and be such a help to those who are making their way to a new life here in Maine.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: People interested in history might be interested in volunteering at the Franco Center. We are always looking for volunteers, and we can always find them to help us at our events. We are especially interested in volunteers with four hours a week to give tours of the Franco Center and to keep our library and collections in order. For more information, please call 333-3251 or email dscammon@francocenter.org. —Denise, Marketing/Development Director, Gendron Franco Center, Lewiston

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Anderson Staples Post #112 of Oxford will have a Memorial Day Celebration at 10 a.m. on Mon., May 30 at the post on 169 King St. It will be an outdoor ceremony unless the weather is inclement then it will be indoors. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call me at 539-2372 —Howie, Oxford

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Can you tell me about the United Nations Development Programme? A friend from out of state says she went onto its Facebook page to get an agent who gave her information to apply for this program. She got a lot of money, “cash from the bank”. She then shared the information with me and another friend and the other friend also got money. She has given me all the information and keeps asking if I have tried. I have not, as I believe it is a scam. She said she had to supply her social security number. Did she unknowingly reveal her identity to someone? I am curious.—No name, no town

ANSWER: On this legitimate organization’s web site, https://www.undp.org/ I found a substantial scam alert and am publishing the part that pertains to your question.

“UNDP does not request any information related to bank accounts or other private information prior to formal registration as a vendor.

UNDP does not offer prizes, awards, funds, certificates, scholarships or conduct lotteries through telephone, e-mail, social media, mail, or fax.

Financial loss and identity theft can result from the transfer of money or personal information to those issuing such fraudulent correspondence. UNDP is not responsible for any such loss or theft.

Victims of scams may also wish to report them to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.  Internet-based scams can be reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.”

Be careful, dear readers. If anyone has more information to share, please write in.

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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