Christmas Donations Fall

Charity workers at Spokane’s Roman Catholic diocese hope Christmas isn’t over.

Donations to the diocese’s Christmas Appeal aren’t keeping pace with last year, meaning Catholic Charities may not be able to meet a growing need for social services.

The diocese has collected $310,900 so far, about $50,000 shy of collections at this time last year. The goal is $550,000. The money is used to help single mothers, needy children, senior citizens and others in 13 Eastern Washington counties.

Donations to Toys for Tots and other Christmas appeals also slumped this year.More than 100,000 people benefited from Catholic Charities programs in 1994, said Donna Hanson, diocese secretary of social ministries. Most of the recipients aren’t Catholic.Based on requests during the last two months of 1994, charity workers expect the number of people requesting aid to increase this year.”Although the campaign is running somewhat behind, we are hopeful of making goal,” Hanson said. “Many people bring their contributions to Christmas Masses,” and that money has not all been counted.

The final tally won’t be made until late this month, Donna Hanson, diocese secretary of social ministries, said.

Donations should be mailed to Catholic Charities, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA, 99210-1453.