DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Knights of Columbus Council 10019 will sponsor an American Red Cross blood drive Monday, Dec. 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the parish hall of Holy Trinity Church on Frost Hill Avenue in Lisbon Falls. 

Call 1-800-733-2767 or go to https://www.redcross.org/ to make an appointment. All donors from Monday, Dec. 8, until Thursday, Dec. 18, will receive a $15 Amazon gift card by email. Don’t forget to use the Rapid Pass. — Raymond, Lisbon Falls

ANSWER: There is an elevated need for blood during the weeks before the holidays. Please schedule a time to donate and/or volunteer if you can. 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have many sets of multicolored Christmas lights, both string lights and net lights, to give away. Perhaps a local group would be interested? If so, please contact me at [email protected]. — Rene, Auburn

ANSWER: I have a hunch that you’ll be getting quite a few responses to this offer. If I’m wrong, you can donate your holiday lights or anything else related to Christmas to Fairbanks Union Church at 508 Fairbanks Road in Farmington. Every year in November, the church holds a Christmas sale that includes three rooms full of Christmas items. They accept donations throughout the year for this successful fundraiser. For more information, call Celia at 778-2420 or Cindy at 491-4017. Let us know what happens! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The 53-member Auburn Community Concert Band, under the direction of Milt Simon, will present its 44th Annual Holiday Concert on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Donald M. Gay Performing Arts Center at Edward Little High School on Harris Street in Auburn. the The75-minute performance is free.

Continuing a tradition that began over four decades ago, those attending the concert will have an opportunity to make a donation to a local nonprofit organization. This year, all money collected following the concert will be presented to the High Street Food Pantry, which is open weekly at the High Street Congregational Church in Auburn. 

For questions regarding the Performing Arts Center, call the high School at 333-6652. For more information regarding the concert, visit the community band’s website at www.auburncommunityband.com. — Milt, Auburn

ANSWER: Thank you for offering this lovely event, and for your generosity to help the community. I’m sure you’ll get a big turnout. We need more holiday concerts in our live! 

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Since times are so tough financially right now, our family isn’t exchanging  Christmas gifts this year. The children are older and we all agreed we’re still going to spend Christmas morning together, have a pancake breakfast, then go for a walk on the beach. It’s been nice to not feel anxious about gift-giving. I’m curious to know if any other readers are doing the same. I don’t feel a lack, just gratitude that we can be together. — Stacey, no town

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 [email protected].