Christmas Fund 1995 Councilman Donates $1,789 In Leftover Funds

Say the word politician and dark images often cloud the listener’s mind. Stereotyping is a dangerous thing. One size does not fit all.

Take Orville Barnes, for instance. The city councilman who won a squeaker of a race for re-election last month donated the balance of his campaign money to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.

He delivered a check for $1,789.89 with a note: “Because my campaign funds came from a very broad range of citizens of Spokane, I felt that the surplus I ended with should go back to the people of Spokane.”

Thus Barnes trades his somber city councilman’s hat for a Santa helper’s hat of cheery red with a white, fuzzy tassel.

Barnes’ left-over election coffer helped Friday’s receipts tally $12,661.91, for a sum so far of $158,345.63. We’re nearly halfway to the goal’s $380,000.

But there’s less than a week to raise the same amount that it’s taken since Thanksgiving to garner.

An anonymous Spokane couple donated $1,100; the employees of Downtown Toyota, 1208 W. Third, “got together and contributed funds” totaling $1,000 to help many Spokane-area families, wrote David R. Coombs, president. “Merry Christmas!!!” he wrote.

Fairco Inc., with three service stations in the city, also donated $1,000. The International Association of Firefighters, Local 876, donated $500.

Those who suffered privation as prisoners of war can never forget the feeling of want and hunger, wrote Ruth G. Cunningham for the Spokane-Inland Empire Chapter of Ex-Prisoners of War. “To help those who cannot help themselves” is the group’s motto, “and we pray that through the Christmas Fund, all those in need will receive some help and HOPE,” Cunningham wrote. The members donated $318.52.

The Walters family, William, Marlene, Bill and Sarah, 221 E. Rockwood Blvd., gave $300.

Gifts of $250 came from Jackie, Randy and Debbie Kulm in memory of Edward and Richard Kulm, Grandpa Rice and Molly Maier; Spokane Falls Chapter 68, International Foot Print Association, 1212 W. Sharp; and an anonymous couple who wanted to “share the spirit of Christmas with those in need.” Their gift “is in memory of our dear parents as well as a special uncle who recently passed away.”

The staff at Family Health Center of Spokane, 910 W. Fifth, collected $235 for the Christmas Fund rather than buy gifts for the center’s doctors. Giving $200 was Neil and Vivian Owens, 13018 E. Wellesley. There were also three anonymous $200 gifts.

Francis and Patricia Goodman, 15713 N. Edencrest Drive, gave $150, as did Laurie Byrd, 1620 E. 27th; Genung Associates, 937 W. 33rd; and an anonymous woman “in memory of my dear husband, Howard.” Another anonymous donor gave $140.

The Jonas Babcock Chapter, National Society Daughters of American Revolution, donated $105.50 in honor of Dorothy Powers, retired associate editor for The Spokesman-Review, who wrote the Christmas Fund stories for many years.

Making gifts of $100 were Ken and Val Rector, 2703 E. Foxwood Drive; Max Taylor, 312 W. Hastings Road; Milton and Joyce Johnson, 1517 W. Pinehill Road; Phyllis Thompson, 1428 E. 40th; Donald Hemsteger, 32 W. 40th; and the residents of Royal Plaza Retirement Center.

Contractors Supply Inc., 223 E. Augusta, gave $100, as did the employees of Soft Water Service Co., 24 E. Third, “in honor of Jerry Camp Sr., a man who lived by his word”; and Ronald, Tawni, Carly and Ashley Richardson, 11619 E. Valleyway.

Other $100 gifts came from Mike Epler, 14005 E. Rockwell; Valley Metal Fab Steel Fabrication; Alma Templeton, 2009 E. Upriver Drive; and five anonymous donors.

James and Sylvia Oliver, 3918 S. Sherman, gave $75 as did an anonymous giver; the Inland Empire Convertible Club sent $70. St. Elizabeth’s Guild gave $63.

Dan, Kristy, Sam and Ben Pelle gave $50 “in memory of the late Spokesman-Review photographer Kit King. He is sorely missed - most especially during the holidays.”

Other $50 gifts came from Harvey A. Nichols, 19226 E. Buckeye; Robert Prater, 1505 N. Fiske; Chris Driskell, 1023 W. York; Earl D. Henton, 3907 W. Rockwell; the Doyles, 6425 N. Jefferson; the Caferros, 1101 E. Sinto; Mr. and Mrs. James B. Tuttle, 1209 E. Glencrest Drive; Joyce Kinne, 3322 W. LaCrosse, in memory of her mother, Arlene Kinne.

More $50 donations came from Virgil and Erma Taylor, Colbert; Duane and Betty Robinson, 1615 E. 44th, in memory of Jerry Camp Sr.; Taking Pounds Off Sensibly No. 765, Chattaroy; Don and Marilyn Lippman; and members of the Odin Club.

Debra, Lori and Trudy of Profiles Hair Design, 9912 N. Waikiki Road, gave $50 as a way of thanking their clients; Others giving $50 were Eric Erickson, 7603 N. Laurelhurst Drive; Gladys Lynch, Colfax; and Joseph Fram, 5122 S. Glengrae Court.

Karen and Gary Enzler, Chattaroy, gave $50 “in loving memory of our parents, Jake and Selma Winn and Archie Enzler, and my best friend, Trudy Peringer.” There were five anonymous $50 gifts, one in memory of Alma Hering.

An anonymous $45 donation was given; Bill and Laura Nestoss, Greenacres, gave $35. An anonymous gift of $30 was also received.

Giving $25 was L. Goehner, 11905 E. Grace; Lynn Olson, 10104 E. 34th, in memory of her brother, Steve Sorenson; T.S. and Mary Water, 805 S. Edgerton; Susan Moegle, Veradale, in honor of the Christmas Fund volunteers.

Adeline Thompson, 1010 S. Rockwood Blvd., “in memory of my dear husband”; Clifford Balcom, 8804 N. Forker Road; Carol Lippman; James and Jodene Meehan, Post Falls; Arlene, Gerry and John Giles, Spokane, “in loving memory of our Aunt Virginia Zellweger, who passed away on Dec. 6.”

Other $25 donations came from Leslie O’Connor, 1603 E. Bridgecourt; J. Courchaine, 705 W. Bellwood Drive; Robert Small, 1515 E. 38th; Mr. and Mrs. Hal Norrie, 2516 W. Dell Drive; Ray Brazington, 8711 N. Kelly Court; the Riddles, 7305 E. Liberty; Butch, Marcia, Todd and Tanya Burroughs, who plan to make this, their first contribution, an annual event.

Also giving $25 was the Avery family in memory of their Aunt Vera and Uncle Frank, who died last month; Pearl McHenry, Cheney, in memory of her husband, D.D. McHenry and son-in-law, Beau Davis; Mr. and Mrs. C.K. Naslund, Spokane; Bob and Demaris Snell, Chattaroy, “in loving memory of our son, Steve Snell.”

More $25 contributions came from Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Fritz, Greenacres; Howell T. Hughes, 8414 N. Pamela; and four anonymous donors, including one made in memory of “Duane Abrahamson, who will be missed by many.”

Jean Brynildson, 930 N. Washington, gave $20; Julie Shogan, 4403 W. Winston Court, contributed $15 as did Lois and Ben Merrill, Cheney, and an anonymous donor; Norman and Janice Stein, 12404 E. Maxwell, gave $10, and someone wishing anonymity gave $5.

, DataTimes