DEAR SUN SPOTS: OTTO Pizza at 730 Center St. in Auburn is hosting a Dining for Dollars Fundraiser to benefit the Pleasant St. Drop-In Center. A percentage of each purchase from 4-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, will go directly to the organization. — Sue, no town
ANSWER: The Drop-in Center is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation that provides assistance to the unhoused community of Auburn and Lewiston. Its mission is simple. It affirms the worth and dignity of every person. It is a safe, low-barrier space where people experiencing homelessness and those in need can come to rest, replenish and rejuvenate.
If you’re unable to attend but interested in contributing toward the mission, monetary donations can be made at: https://gofund.me/244bdb7a
Also, its Amazon wish list is here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2NQD7D8H6L6H7…
In-person donations (e.g. supplies, clothing, food, and monetary) can be dropped off at the Drop-In Center at 169 Pleasant St. in Auburn during operating hours: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. The number is 241-1849.
Needed most now are are body wipes, hand warmers, hand sanitizer, luggage, blankets, trash bags, small medical supplies (gauze, bandages, etc.), and men’s underwear.
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Thanks to your generous readers for responding to our plea for lap blankets for our comfort basket program for St. Mary’s patients. We are overwhelmed by the donations and the talent!
Our patients and families are very grateful for the comforting blankets during a difficult time. Thank you all for your wonderful response. — Elizabeth, St. Mary’s Health System, Lewiston
ANSWER: So glad to hear it! Let us know when you need more!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to warn all my Sun Spots “family” about a couple scams that almost happened to me recently. I got a text from Amazon saying my account had been locked because of a “suspicious purchase.” I got this text while visiting my daughter and new granddaughter in the hospital, but my son-in-law had his tablet with him and we looked at my Amazon account right away. It was fine.
If you get a text like these, report them, move them to your junk file, and block the numbers so they will stop bothering you.
A few days later, I got a text from my bank in the early hours of the morning telling me to respond to the text immediately because there was “an issue with my account”. I’ve never gotten a text from them before and didn’t respond to it but called my bank directly. It wasn’t them! —Celeste, no town
ANSWER: I get these sometimes too, and I hate it.
Good resources to find about scams that particularly target seniors are often in AARP Bulletin and the magazine. If you don’t subscribe, I recommend that you do. SeniorsPlus in Lewiston (https://seniorsplus.org/ 795-4010 and even your town office also may have information and fraud watches regarding the latest scams.
I hope that first episode didn’t take too much of your time, visiting with your new grandbaby is way to precious to squander even a second. Congratulations to you and the family!
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