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

Christmas Fund 1996 Christmas Fund Quarter Of The Way Kim Hotstart Manufacturing Workers Donate $1,500

Beverly Vorpahl Staff writer

The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund got a $1,500 hot boost Tuesday from employees of Kim Hotstart Manufacturing Co. of Spokane, along with three contributions of $1,000.

Those generous gifts helped bring the day’s receipts to $17,165 for a total of $104,989.38.

We are one-fourth of the way toward meeting the $400,000 goal.

The first $100,000 is always the hardest to make. But $300,000 is a tremendous amount of money to raise in only 14 days.

Rick Robinson, chief executive officer of Hotstart, wrote, “I know that all of our employees and the community appreciate your effort to help those less fortunate than us during the holiday season.”

Baily and Rudy, “a couple of fun kids” on 28th Avenue, gave $1,000, as did Ken Robert Investment Management Inc., 601 W. Riverside, “with blessings to all at Christmas time.”

David and Nancy Seefeld of the Jackson-Hawthorne Group Executive Search Firm, 2920 S. Grand Blvd., moved their business to Spokane nearly four years ago. They felt our city “would provide an excellent place for us to call a permanent home and raise a family,” wrote David Seefeld. Now, their children, 4 and 2, “are growing up in a community we feel proud to be a part of.”

The Seefelds increased their support of the Christmas Fund to $1,000 because they feel the need is greater than usual. “We don’t know if it’s the recent weather, the shorter time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, or maybe we’re just becoming more in tune with the enormity of the need, having lived here longer.”

Well-said, as is the closing of their letter: “We know it (the money) not only goes to a great cause, but you do such an excellent job in stretching every penny. Please put it to work.”

A gift of $500 came from Carl and Carol Stark, 1827 E. 35th, who wrote: “Our hope is that all children can experience the joy of Christmas and this can help add to their enjoyment.”

Jean Harmon wrote her $500 check in memory of her husband, E. Glenn Harmon. “This newspaper meant so much to him. I know he would want to give to the S-R Christmas Fund. It is a wonderful expression of Christmas for the unfortunate ones.”

There was also an anonymous gift of $500 given “again in fond memory of Bill Cowles (William H. Cowles 3rd),” late publisher of The Spokesman-Review.

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cummings, 4214 E. Fairview, gave $350; Bob and Gerry Conrad, 2007 N. Hemlock, donated $300. Gifts of $250 came from Edward and Barbara Morse; John M. Baumhofer, 2204 W. Walton, in memory of his mother; Jean and the late J. Herman, Spokane, who donated in memory of Myrtle Gaylord, a columnist for the Spokane Daily Chronicle, who always gave $1 for spring’s first buttercup.

Val and Elma Roth, 10906 E. Mallon, gave $250, as did Eugene and Selma Young, 4004 N. Lincoln; Christie and Richard Miller, 1235 E. Christmas Tree Lane.

Donations of $200 came from Doug and Ora Eller, 5205 W. Northwest Blvd.; Jack and Pat Russell, 10815 E. 48th; Sharon and Frank Sell, Liberty Lake; Jeffrey and Janet Strange, 3707 S. Helena, “in memory of Mel Saxton and Bruce Strange, two men who shaped our lives.”

The United Motorcycle Club International, 11516 E. Mission, gave $200 “to help the needy during this holiday season,” wrote Doug Rider. “Best wishes for the complete success of your program.”

Other donations of $200 were from Rachael Wood, 8 W. 28th; Lee and Gretchen Jones, 108 W. 19th; and Lowell and Betty Brooks, Spokane. Giving $155 was C. J. Schroeder, 15815 E. Longfellow. Felix and rdene Entenmann, 2311 W. 16th, gave $150.

Gifts of $125 came from Joseph and Vida Johnson, 2606 E. Nicklaus; Elsie M. Hester, 2903 E. 25th; Jerome M. Keller, 4710 W. Northwest Blvd.; Mary and Clyde Bemis, 13205 E. 23rd.

Giving $100 were Helen Mayberry, 1802 S. Carnahan Road; Thomas Pitzer, 7911 E. Woodview; and the Heywood Family, Deer Park, “in loving memory of Sam.” Two $100 gifts were given in the name of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints, South Side Branch, 2004 E. Ninth: one from JoAnne Dobson, the other from Keith Townsend.

Thomas DeBoer, 414 W. 25th, gave $100, as did Inland Empire Drywall Co., 5105 E. Railroad; H. and V. Young, 823 W. Holland; Robert D. Cowdery, Spokane, who wrote that the Christmas Fund and the generosity of those who contribute are a “light that shines through the darkness.”

Other $100 contributions came from Bob Frank Homes Inc, 4615 W. Coventry Lane; Tom and Marcia O’Leary, 1231 W. Bellwood Drive, who wrote: “With Christmas blessings to the entire Spokesman-Review staff who keep us informed day after day.”

Tom and Mary Anna Bryan, 4929 N. Allen Place, gave $100, along with Eileen Anderson and Anita Foreman, 1214 W. Wedgewood, on behalf of the Revs. Joe Conwell, Bob Egan, Joe Lingan and Kevin McGinley of St. Michael’s Institute.

Charles D. Havens, 914 W. Nora, contributed $100, along with Ronald W. Willcocks, 1305 N. Wilbur; Mr. and Mrs. W. Newbill, Otis Orchards; Mr. and Mrs. Budd Woods, 9520 E. 44th; Gene Hubbell, 1707 W. Euclid; Ardell Wallat, 1119 W. 22nd; Bill and Mildred Garing, 23 E. 34th; J. and G. Felgenhauer, 10803 E. 25th; the Spokane Lawn Bowling Club; and William and Norma Main, 16502 Little Spokane, in memory of their friend, Pat McAleer.

Dale and Jacqueline Hines, 3823 S. Sherman, contributed $100, as did V.F. Strange, 2924 E. 32nd; Bob and Helen Marksbury, 1328 W. Dalke, in memory of two friends, Gwen Wilson and Roland Hyer; Ed and JoAnn Brown, Veradale; R. Materne, 13515 N. Crestline; Wilbur and Elna Anne Paulson, Rosalia, in memory of their parents Roy and Leona Paulson, and Dewey and Georgia Sharp.

Arnold and Mardell Muth, 8620 N. Forest Blvd. gave $100 and wrote, “We don’t need federal or state governmental interference. Locals take care of local problems.” Melvin and Mercedes Griffiths, 4904 N. Whitehouse and Donna Perfetti, 3522 N. Normandie also gave $100.

A heartbreak letter came from the Gillams - Jan, Katie, Jenni and Jayme - 9815 Ute Court, who gave in memory of their dad, Jay.

“Our dad believed in helping those less fortunate by giving to charities every year, including the Christmas Fund. To keep his memory alive, we are continuing his tradition of giving. Thank you for all the help and support you give to families during the holiday season.

“God Bless, the Gillams.”

There were also 10 anonymous donations of $100, including one “in loving memory of Cletus and Evelyn Hart, our beloved parents and grandparents.” In Monday’s list of givers, the name of James Felice of Connor & Kelly Insurance, 400 S. Jefferson, was omitted. Rather then sending them gifts as he usually does, he made his gift in the names of his clients.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo