DEAR SUN SPOTS: High Street Congregational Church will hold its annual Fabric and Craft Supply Fair on April 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, 106 Pleasant St. in Auburn. Tables are available for $20 each; contact High Street Church for the registration form by calling 207-784-1306.
High Street Congregational Church is also accepting donations of fabric and craft supplies for the fair. Donations may be dropped off Monday, Wednesday or Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church. Proceeds from this sale are used by the Parish Guild to fund projects and missions of our church. For more information, please contact High Street Congregational Church at 207-784-1306. — Rose Stanfield, High Street Church administrator.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: This summer, join volunteer host families in North Central Maine, and open your heart and home to a Fresh Air child. Each summer, thousands of children from New York City’s low-income communities visit suburban, rural and small-town communities along the East Coast and southern Canada through The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program.
The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from 7 to 18 years old, who live in New York City. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with the Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips. For more information about hosting a Fresh Air child this summer, please contact Jennifer Tibbetts at 207-931-8889 or visit www.freshair.org.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Once again, please, where can cards be sent for reuse? — No name, Jay.
ANSWER: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children recycles used greeting cards and creates new holiday and all-occasion greeting cards. Recycled cards are sold to support their programs and services for abused, neglected and homeless children, young adults and families.
Operated by Kids’ Corp., a program designed to teach entrepreneurship skills, the children at the ranch participate in making the new “green” cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by children and volunteers.
They “happily accept used all-occasion greeting cards,” but cannot accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards. If you have any other brand cards without excessive wear or writing on the front, they can be reused. St. Jude’s recommends using a flat-rate box from the U.S. Post Office for shipping. They hold up to 70 pounds and are the least expensive way to send multiple cards. Cards can be mailed to: 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005. More information can be found on their website, stjudesranch.org/contribute/recycled-card-program.
Another place to check in with are your local schools and child care centers. Greeting cards work very well for paper crafts and help children practice their cutting skills.
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