DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Volunteer Office of Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice is looking for volunteers once again to knit and/or crochet comfort shawls that will be included as part of a special package for our Hospice patients and families.

This is part of our “Peaceful Passages” program, developed as a way to inspire, support and comfort patients and families at the end of life. The contents of these packages include an angel token, a worry stone with a special message, a candle, and a special booklet of poems and prayers, which includes a space to write one’s thoughts, memories and feelings. The final piece added to the bag is the comfort shawl. This is the only piece that has been hand-made by those who care. It adds that special touch. Each shawl is labeled with a message, “This comfort shawl was hand made for you with prayers and thoughts of love.”

Shawls should be 58 to 60 inches long and 23 to 24 inches wide when completed. We want the patient to be able to wrap it around their shoulders comfortably so they do not have to hold onto it to keep it on. The preference is for a rectangular pattern, however, we accept triangular shawls as long as they are 58 inches long at the longest edge. We do have patterns available for those who are interested. We would like to have shawls knitted especially for women and others knitted especially for men.  

We want to give a special thanks to all who have donated so many shawls in the past. We hope you will join us again. There is a great need for these shawls for our patients and families. If you are interested in knitting or crocheting shawls and donating them to Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice patients, please contact Kim Chesley in the Volunteer Office, at (207) 795-9489, or e-mail her at kim.chesley@ahch.org. Some knit or crochet one or two shawls per year, while others will donate one or two shawls per month. Whatever you can do will be greatly appreciated by those we serve. — Kathy, no town.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Tuesday, Aug. 23, was my husband’s 70th birthday and I took him to LongHorn Steakhouse for his birthday dinner. We had a great time and the food was delicious. We ordered our dessert, and when it was time to pay the bill, our waitress informed us that someone had paid our tab.

Not knowing who these kind people are, we hope that they read Sun Spots so that we can thank them and tell them how grateful we are. There are some really special people in this world with generous hearts.

Thank you so very much for making my husband’s 70th birthday extra special. We, in turn, will surely pay it forward to someone else. — No name, no town.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I wonder if the lady from the Rumford-Mexico area who came to Jay to get a sewing machine would give us a call at (207) 897-3886. Thank you. — No name, Jay.

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