Christmas Fund 1995 Msc’s Healthy Donation Will Go Far In Helping Poor

Friends - what would we do without them?

A longtime, faithful friend of The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund has proven reliable once again.

Medical Service Corp., 3900 E. Sprague, gave $3,000, a gift which shone like a beacon in what was beginning to look like dark days for the fund.

The insurance company’s contribution boosted Saturday’s total to $14,707.87. So far, $173,053.50 has been collected toward the $380,000 needed to make sure every family gets help with Christmas groceries and a toy for each child.

“MSC believes it is important to respond to the growing needs of our community by continuing our tradition of support,” wrote Henry F. Keaton, president and chief executive officer.

“The Christmas Fund makes a difference each year in the lives of many people. We are proud to be a part of the 1995 fund and the important work it does.”

The word “love,” theme of Advent’s third Sunday, is interchangeable with “charity” as Paul used it writing about faith, hope and charity to followers in Corinth.

“And the greatest of these is charity,” reads the Bible’s King James Version.

Love and charity perfectly define the Christmas Fund. Love spurs charitable acts of giving - especially at Christmas time.

Your gift of money makes it possible for poor parents in Spokane to give something to their children on Christmas Day.

What greater gift can there be?

A total of 4,802 applications were processed the first five days of the Christmas Bureau distributing food vouchers and toys. That translates into 14,886 people who have been helped, including 8,157 children and 6,729 adults.

As a reminder:

No Christmas Fund money is used for overhead expenses.

The newspaper only collects the money, which is then turned over to the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America, whose officials operate the Christmas Bureau.

Christmas Fund gifts are tax deductible.

Each needy family receives a food voucher to help provide a more festive Christmas Day meal and a gift for each child who is 18 or younger.

There were three gifts of $1,000 in Saturday’s receipts - one from Hathaway Meats Inc., Dishman; one anonymous, and the third from Willard C. Quinn III and Mary Livingston of the Bulldog Tavern at Sharp and Hamilton, given “to extend a thank you to our customers and employees and to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.”

The brokers and staff of Prudential Securities, 601 W. Main, donated $900; the 1955, ‘56, ‘57 Classic Car Club gave $500; the employees of Moland Greeting Card, 2733 E. Providence, contributed $400; and an anonymous donor gave $375 with this note: “Blessed holidays to our poor from an old friend.”

Donating $300 was Mark and Terry Rathbun; the partners of Spokane Diagnostic Radiology who “chose to contribute to your much-needed Christmas Fund” rather than buy gifts for one another; Christopher Hicks and John Bowen Jr. of Spokane Bakery Supply, 2503 E. Riverside, who gave “in appreciation of all our valued customers”; and one anonymous donor.

The Spokane Mortgage Lenders Association donated $250 “to contribute to the holiday cheer you are able to give many less fortunate individuals,” wrote Bill Maag, treasurer. Northwest Pea and Bean Co. Inc., 6109 E. Desmet, also gave $250, along with Women of the Moose, James Perkins and Erika Balazs, 3206 W. Connaught Drive.

Contributions of $200 came from R.A. Bedford, Deer Park; Charles and Jean Silver, 7102 N. Audubon Drive; George and Patti Mitchell, 1209 E. Lyons. Terry and Kathryn Deno, 8123 N. Valerie, gave $150.

Giving $100 was Dr. Kenneth and Helen Rydbom, 7311 N. Claney Court; Bernard and Lucy Goble, 338 W. Nebraska; Advertising Technologies, Moscow, Idaho; Tom and Marcia O’Leary, 1231 W. Bellwood Drive; Patty and Bob Van Zile, 521 Bridlewood Lane; Dr. James and Julie Psomas, 20 S. Pines Road.

Other gifts of $100 came from Merrill Jefferson, 4023 W. Hoffman; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jacobson, 11107 E. Empire; C. Haywood, 3825 E. 18th; Rod and Anne Hartman, Coulee Dam; John and Zoe Ann Foltz, 3908 E. Sumac Drive; St. Andrew’s Guild.

Three $100 donations in memory of Jerry Camp Sr. came from Dennis Erickson, head coach of the Seattle Seahawks; Mr. and Mrs. Stanley A. Jensen of Jensen Distribution Services; and Jack Pring, Appleway Equipment Leasing, Inc., 8414 E. Sprague.

There also were five anonymous gifts of $100.

, DataTimes