Christmas Fund 1995 Kind Action A Universal Language

More than what we say, what we do makes the difference.

So many gifts to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund are made in honor of people whose lives serve as examples for others.

They don’t preach righteous living. They simply go about their lives in a manner that speaks loud and clear to those around them.

You know, “Actions speak louder …”

Three specific examples of “doing” rather than “saying” helped bring Thursday’s Christmas Fund gifts to $10,730.

To date, $71,242.88 has been collected to provide food vouchers to low-income families so they can enjoy a more festive meal on Christmas Day, and to buy toys for their children - so no child in Spokane will go without something to unwrap Christmas morning.

It may seem like $71,242 is a lot of money - and it is - but so much more is needed. A belt-cinching, nofrills goal of $380,000 has been set to make sure all of us, even those with next to nothing, can enjoy the holiday.

Although three specific illustrations of example-setting are featured today, every donor to the Christmas Fund sets an example of demonstrating concern for others.

One whose life served as an example is Roger Menard, who worked 10 years at the Christmas Bureau.

Others have said volunteering at the Christmas Bureau is difficult - heartbreaking sometimes - but that it’s all worthwhile.

For 10 years, Menard unselfishly chose to donate his time and energy to others at Christmas time. For a decade he helped people fill out forms, pick up food vouchers, select toys.

“He showed his family how important it is to give one’s time and money to help others,” wrote his daughter, Barbara Tiffany, and her husband, Mike, 6524 N. Victor. They enclosed a check for $35 in memory of Menard, who died last December.

The second example comes from the businesses world. Of course, behind every manager’s desk sits a person making an executive decision that sets an example.

Kaiser Aluminum’s Mead and Trentwood operations donated $1,000 to the Christmas Fund, setting a fine example for other companies to follow.

Susan Ashe, Kaiser’s Northwest public affairs manager, wrote on behalf of Dave Kjos, Ray Milchovich and their employees, “We hope this gift will benefit those Spokane-area families in need this holiday season. Merry Christmas, Spokane.”

Thursday’s third example: Members of the weekend groups of Abstemious Outpatient Clinic, 1000 N. Argonne, who set an example just by belonging to the group as they strive for abstinence from drugs.

Members have “learned to ‘raise their spirits’ by eliminating the drug of choice with the love of self and others,” an accompanying letter said. “Therefore, we all join in the spirit of Christmas with this check for $100 to the Christmas Fund.”

The members also extended a challenge to other treatment facilities to “raise the spirits of families less fortunate than us at this special time of year.”

Other examples of good deeds in Thursday’s mail came from:

An anonymous donor who gave $1,500; Judith Williams of Telect in Liberty Lake, $1,000; H.W. Watts, 707 W. Fifth, $500, along with two people who requested anonymity; and an anonymous giver of $400.

Mr. and Mrs. Walt Cummings, 4214 E. Fairview, donated $350; Angelo “Doc” Momolite, 963 E. 10th, $200, who wrote he is “very happy to help someone in need.” Giving $200 was Lowell and Betty Brooks, 1311 E. Pinecrest Road; Carson/Himmelright, 607 W. 22nd; and someone requesting anonymity.

To emphasize that every giver sets an example, Dick and Marsha Bennett, 4216 S. Tenfel Lane, donated $200 and wrote, “We are new to Spokane and we are pleased to be a part of the community spirit of giving in the beautiful Inland Empire.”

Anton F. Dauenhauer, 17500 E. Sprague, gave $120. Giving $100 was Mercedes Griffiths, 4904 N. Whitehouse; Doug and Phyllis Churchill, 7026 N. Fischer Court; the Inland Empire Ceramic Association; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Kennedy, 117 W. 14th; and Mr. C’s Auto and RV Sales, 3925 N. Monroe “to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter.”

Eilene Parkinson, Veradale, gave $100, as did Helen and Kenneth Evans, 3238 W. Litchfield; Penelope and Steven Kern, 2405 W. Bernhill Road; Clyde and Mary Bemis, 13205 23rd, “in memory of family members who have passed away.” Seward and Virginia Besemer, Veradale; Rick Myers, 10706 N. Klamath Court; Uhel and Marie Holliday, 3927 N. Adams, in memory of their brothers, Martin Schaal and Urnie Holliday, “May God bless.”

Other $100 contributors were Jean Gralke, 3404 S. Loretta Drive; Dorothy Kirkwood, 8005 E. Longfellow; Ray and Frances O’Keefe, 700 W. Seventh; Raymond Gerlitz, Spokane; Club Contempo North, 1205 E. Lyons; Ryan and Cailyn Torpie, Spokane, gave $60 and $40 respectively, totally $100; there were seven anonymous donors of $100, including one given in memory of a friend, Don Clemens, who died in an automobile accident two years ago. “Although his parents have had to overcome a great deal of grief in the time since his accident, they would be pleased to have his memory noted toward such a worthy cause.”

Another anonymous $100 gift was made “in loving memory of our grandfather, John Atkinson.”

John V. Durkin, 912 W. 32nd, gave $75; the Sales Support Team at J.C. Penney, NorthTown, donated their $50 pizza party prize money “because we feel that there are many who need it far more than we do.”

Others giving $50 were Fred Hubbell, Nine Mile Falls; Ronald and Heidi Cooper, Spokane; Kim and (former mayor) Sheri Barnard, Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Reuss, 2327 W. Gordon; three anonymous donors, including “Mrs. A” who gave “in memory of Frank who passed on this summer; we know his spirit is still with us”; and a woman who gave in memory of her husband and daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Lewis, 6310 N. Smith, gave $40; giving $35 was an anonymous donor and Stanley Witter Jr., 4324 S. Helena, “in the memory of my late wife, June, who passed away in September.” Edwin Malmquist, Nine Mile Falls, gave $30.

Donating $25 was Allen and Martha Hibbard, 11904 E. Alki, who wrote: “We thank God for again blessing us abundantly this past year - including return to good health. We want to share with the needy.” Mr. and Mrs. Willis Cox, 3628 W. Rockwell; Betty Schatz, 612 S. Lincoln; Betty Meyers, 2311 W. 16th, who wrote “I am so grateful for what I have, I’d like to share this with the less fortunate.”

Also giving $25 was Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gregor, Otis Orchards; Jean T. Finn, 317 W. Fourth, “in loving memory of Bill and Blanche Thomlinson (1975)”; Don, Evelyn and son Jon Rennard, 5406 W. Woodside, to “bring a small amount of Christmas cheer.” W.E. Knutsen, 2619 S. Jefferson; Willabelle Godfrey, 1838 S. Maple.

Other $25 givers were Lawrence and Marjorie Fisher, 508 E. Glass; Ray’s Auto Sales, 2503 E. Sprague; and five anonymous donors; $20 gifts came from Edward Dick Jr., 6207 N. Howard; Inez Wood, Spokane; and anonymous; $10 gifts were from Susan Frankovich, Spokane; Betsy and Richard Rush, Spokane; Dave Bearden, 14906 E. Broad; Gladys and Dianne; and one anonymous giver.

, DataTimes