Christmas Fund 1996 Newspaper, Defeyters, Chevy Club Help Out

It’s not often the newspaper toots its own horn - but if ever there were a time or event, ‘tis now. The paper’s employees have contributed $1,585.25 to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.

That donation helped Sunday’s gifts add up to $8,938.25, for a total so far of $177,264.83. We’re getting there - but a little too slowly for comfort. Don’t forget: The goal this year is $400,000.

Christmas is a week from Wednesday, and there is $222,736 still to raise before then if everyone needing help is to receive it.

How about it? Can you help those among us who are not able to help themselves?

If you need inspiration, drop in at the Christmas Bureau, 812 W. Main, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. any weekday until Dec. 23.

You will be amazed at the line of people that goes down the block and around the corner.

These are people who don’t stand out much among those with more resources. But their numbers speak volumes when they line up around the block, day after day, waiting for help so their children can have a happy Christmas. There are too many to ignore.

Think you would be too proud to stand in such a line? Don’t bet on it. Not if the Christmas Bureau, line and all, were the only way your children each could open a toy on Christmas morning and you could receive a food voucher to help pay for groceries.

That’s when pride is swallowed and parents stand and wait. For their children.

That’s what the Christmas Fund is all about. The children.

Don and Flo DeFeyter and Daisy DeFeyter of Spokane donated a combined gift of $2,000 to help the Christmas Fund reach its daily total.

There was an anonymous donor who gave $1,000 with this note: “To celebrate the birth of Christ, we wish to make this donation in the names of our 10 grandchildren: Michael, Nina, Branden, Trevor, Brian, Daniel, Julia, Lance, Nicole and Sabina.

“Thank you,” the contributor wrote, “for collecting and then giving 100 percent of the money to those who are in need.”

Two gifts of $500 came from the Spokane Area Classic Chevy Club, along with an anonymous donor.

The certificated staff of the Freeman School District in Rockford, longtime contributors to the fund, gave $358 “because we are a rural school with kids in all income brackets, many who need your help to have a nice holiday.”

There was one anonymous donation of $300; Billie and Donald Moore, 4330 S. Crestline, gave $200; and J.E.J. Harrison & Associates Inc., Spokane, contributed $150.

Gifts of $100 were given by Jeanne Akers, 3008 W. Hoffman, “to our fellow Spokanites”; the Heart to Hand group in Hayden; Pat, Ryan, Andy and Will Shea, Spokane; V. Ullrich, 5506 N. Greenwood Blvd.; and the Washington Federation of State Employees, Local 782, Airway Heights.

James R. Morris, 2922 E. Snowberry Lane, also gave $100, as did Robert and Arlene Olson, Spokane, and four anonymous donors. Patricia Stewart, 2707 E. 37th, gave $75, as did C. Peggy Gazette, Spokane.

A combined gift of $60 came from the Washington Water Power Retirees Association, with Roger Johnson contributing $20 and Theodore Mantz, $5. Contributions of $50 came from R.A. and Ramona Hansen, 4907 N. Isenhart; Bill and Helen Yokum, 4017 N. Calispel; and Len and Ruth Swanson, 12708 E. Saltese, who gave “in memory of our dear friend and neighbor, Irene Gibson.”

Giving $50 were Gilbert D. Gander, 8905 E. Sinto; Nathan Jeffries, 4514 E. Sorrel; Don and Annetta Farr, 8602 N. Forest; Sheri Barnard, 1703 E. Pinecrest; and Capt. Donald and Laura Ott, 307 W. Euclid.

Jeff Thomas also gave $50, in honor of Heart Clinics Northwest and the people at The Spokane Heart Institute. Another $50 gift came from Edna Camp, Dr. Dean Hill and Dr. William Coleman, and “all our friends and family who helped us out after my wife’s heart surgery, a big thank-you.”

There were four anonymous donations of $50.

Rupert B. Spearman, 2903 E. 25th, gave $40. Giving $35 were Alan and Deanna Eppinger, 5206 W. Lyons; and M. Hansen, 1105 N. Rudolf. Eileen and Frank Mathison, 5423 N. Monroe, and an anonymous donor gave $30.

Lois, Rhea, Clara, Rose, Jean, Virginia, Betty, and Vivienne, Spokane’s “card-playing cuties,” gave $25, as did Hearthstone Wood Products, Spokane; and Ruth Tyndall, 1311 W. Dalton.

Barb and Jim Ford, and their girls, Jennifer and Katie, Mead, gave $25 “in loving memory of our dear brother and uncle who loved this season, Richard Ford, and to our dear friend, Ralph Coldwater, who died unexpected this May.”

Mrs. B.L. Scheele, 8706 N. Weipert Drive, gave $25, as did Pat and Don Ericson, 2839 W. Weile; Mike Slavens, 1024 E. Providence; and two anonymous donors.

Gifts of $20 came from Ronald and Marjorie Green, 924 E. 37th; and Virginia A. Terpening, 6732 N. Winston Drive.

, DataTimes