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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Christmas Fund 1996 Grieving Parents Thinking Of Others

Beverly Vorpahl Staff writer

There can be nothing quite as unnatural or sorrowful as parents losing a child. It’s against the natural order of things.

But it happens. Bad things sometimes happens to good people.

Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear’s son, Brian, died last year, three days after Christmas. He was 27.

This Christmas must be terribly difficult for the Puryears and others who have experienced similar losses. There is so little that can be said in the way of comfort.

Several grieving parents have made donations to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund in memory of their children.

And like them, the Puryears are thinking of others at this holiday time. They donated $5,000 to the Christmas Fund “in memory of our son, Brian, who went home to be with our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

And they also contributed another $10,000 with a note that said, “We appreciate the opportunity that The Spokesman-Review gives us to give into the lives of others less fortunate than ourselves during this special time of the year.”

With that great boost, Monday’s contributions to the Christmas Fund added up to $28,224.37, bringing the total so far to $87,824.38.

We’re on our way toward meeting the $400,000 goal. There are, however, only 15 days until Christmas.

The Christmas Bureau opens at 10 this morning at 812 W. Main, and hundreds of parents from lowincome families are expected to line the street, anxious to receive a Christmas gift for their children (18 and younger) in the way of a toy or game, along with a food voucher to help make Christmas dinner a bit more special than everyday fare.

The gifts they select from are of top quality. Ken Trent, the Christmas Bureau director, buys toys all year long, whenever he can get a “deal.” The toys are the same quality as those the children’s friends will find under their trees.

It’s not just children and young families who benefit from the Christmas Fund.

Senior citizens go to the bureau for food vouchers, as do others who are sick and unable to work. Some of these people have recently fallen on hard times and are experiencing the “other side” of the Christmas Fund they once supported when they were employed.

There are also immigrants applying for Christmas relief. Imagine being in a country where you can’t understand what is being said to you, and you can’t speak the language nearly as well as your children, who, no doubt, quickly learn what Christmas is all about in America.

The Christmas Fund is there for these people who have left their homeland for America and its opportunities, just like the ancestors of every one of us did, except for Native Americans.

Others helping meet Monday’s total include:

The Masonry Industry Promotion Group, 102 E. Boone, which donated $1,000, saying, “We appreciate the opportunity to make someone’s holiday season a little brighter.” It was signed by Kevin Krebs, executive director.

Contributions of $500 came from Dr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Asterino, 2110 W. Weile; Fitzpatrick and Culbertson, attorneys and counselors, 1124 W. Riverside, saying, “We hope this small gift will help make someone’s holiday seem a bit brighter. Happy Holidays, Paul Fitzpatrick.”

One anonymous donor gave $500 with this note, “In the past, I have shown thanks to my clients for their business during the year with gifts. This year, a donation to The S-R Christmas Fund is made so that residents in need of help in the Spokane area may have a more joyous Christmas than they might have otherwise. This gift is made on behalf of myself and my clients.”

Spokane Projection Service, Spokane, gave $250. Giving $200 were: Genevieve Warren, 2229 S. Forest Estates Drive; Karen Nichols, 3924 E. Courtland; Southside Newcomers; Pat Holms, 2211 W. Wabash, in memory of her husband, Bill Holms, and son, Dave Holms; Harry and Peg Green, 2933 S. Waterford Drive; and four anonymous donors.

Phyllis J. Francis, 4214 S. Magnolia, gave $175 “in memory of loved ones.” An anonymous donor gave $165. Giving $150 were Roger and Carol Palmberg, 6420 S. Pittsburg; Stan and Margo Sargent, 1403 S. Grand Blvd.; Mr. and Mrs. John M. Hasstedt, 2121 S. Forest Estates Drive; Albert Materi, 912 W. Frederick, “in memory of Rose and my deceased father and brothers and sister;” and one anonymous donor.

Lloyd and Kathleen Avery donated $125 “with best wishes to a very worthy cause”; employees of the Don Wilson Agency, 1414 W. Garland, also donated $125, with this note: “Although we know poverty, homeless families, people out of work, depression and all the rest will never completely go away, it helps to know your fund helps people in those situations to enjoy the holidays - and to know many of us do care. God bless!”

Banquet servers at the Red Lion Hotel donated $121.37. An anonymous donor contributed $110.

Gifts of $100 came from M. Thies, 4224 N. Vercler, in memory of her husband, mother and brother; the Crutcher family, 12013 N. Anna J. Drive; June Powell, 225 W. Rockwell; and Margaret Irving, Deer Park, with a saying of her mother: “‘Snow,’ cries the widow as she sits by her last chip of wood.”

Others giving $100 were Albert and Jean Pistorius, Hayden Lake; Lila Fuhriman, 3002 E. 30th, “Thanking God and his helpers for getting the electricity on”; Clair and Edith Replogle, Deer Park, with this note: “Christmas is for giving, and we are thankful to be able to share with those who are in need of help.”

Betty Kitley, 2311 W. 16th, donated $100, as did Mr. and Mrs. Frank Caldwell, Medical Lake; Jean Gralke, 3404 S. Loretta Drive; Dennis and Patricia Doyle, 3523 E. Montgomery; Patty Neilsen, 2403 E. Empire, “in memory of my mother, Juanita Neilsen, and my grandmothers, Velda Neilsen and Eunice Morris. These women did not have an overabundance of money, but they did have an overabundance of love from their family and friends.”

Also giving $100 were Ken and Val Rector, 2703 E. Foxwood Drive, in memory of her mother Lillian Coldwell; E.D. Eddy, 3027 E. 13th; Helen McDonald, 1224 W. Riverside; the Dantis Club of Spokane; Jim and Elaine Peplinski, “in loving memory of dear friend Dot Melton, who passed away recently in Florida. Merry Christmas to all of you who donate your time to this cause.”

, DataTimes