DEAR SUN SPOTS: St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is seeking volunteers to join our wonderful team. Volunteers help transport patients within the hospital, assist with departmental projects, deliver flowers to patient rooms, greet patients, provide directions to departments and more.

The only requirement is a desire to help others in a friendly and personable manner. If you would like to be part of serving the community in a meaningful way and can commit to volunteering two to four hours per week, please contact St. Mary’s Volunteer Services Department at 777-8368 or 755-3096. — Rose, Lewiston

ANSWER: Volunteering at your local hospital is a very meaningful way to spend your time, I can personally vouch for that. If you have ever done this, you know what I’m talking about. And if you’ve thought about it at all in the past, now is the time to step up. You’ll be helping others, meeting new people, and being the recipient of some warm, grateful interactions.

Remember, if you’re in a nonprofit organization or group and need volunteers, Sun Spots will get the word out for you.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I live in a low-income housing complex and am 75 years old. The complex recently had new mailboxes installed that are so high I need a stool to reach mine. I want to add that there are other residents here who use wheelchairs and are unable to collect their mail.

Recently one of my neighbors had a tree branch go through her windshield during a windstorm. The complex executives said they’re not responsible but they don’t maintain the dead trees on the property.

Lastly, there are 82 apartments in our complex with only four washers and four dryers for tenant use. They are always breaking down and we were told months ago that new ones were ordered. We are still waiting. — No name, no town

ANSWER: I’m sure you’re very frustrated and left wondering what will happen next. You may also feel that there is nothing you can do to make things better, but there is.

Have you and your fellow tenants gotten together to discuss your concerns, review your leases to confirm rules and expectations in the complex then contacted the property manager with an email or letter containing those concerns? If you haven’t, that should be your first step. Although it may be difficult, keep the tone as positive and professional as you can and simply list the issues and request follow-up. Add solutions if you have ideas. And conduct all this in writing, not phone calls, so you have a record of it.

If issues are not resolved after this attempt or if communication breaks down along the way, your municipality may have a housing department where you can file a complaint about the situation.

Another resource is The Multi-family Housing Complaint Line. Visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/mfh/hc/complaint to read how they can assist you by explaining your property manager’s responsibilities, listening to your complaint, and providing you with options, hopefully to keep the lines of communication open between the housing residents and management. You can reach this office at 1-800-685-8470.

By the way, the property management should have liability insurance for that tree limb incident.

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.