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

Christmas Fund 1996 Jerry Camp Sr. Legacy Of Kindness Still Bright Gift Of $10,150 From Owners, Employees A Huge Lift

Beverly Vorpahl Staff writer

The owners and employees at Camp Automotive Inc. are exactly the kind of Santa helpers The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund needs.

Santa helpers are in the same category as knights in shining armor.

A check for $10,150 was hand-delivered to the newspaper with a brief note that the company at 101 E. Montgomery was making the contribution in memory of Jerry Camp Sr.

Camp, who died at age 84 last December, was characterized by friends, family and even the owner of his biggest competitor as a compassionate man who showed devotion to customers and employees alike.

Camp Automotive’s contribution will make a huge difference in meeting this year’s Christmas Fund goal of $400,000.

Another car dealership, Wendle Nissan, 9000 N. Division and Division at the “Y,” donated $2,000 to the Christmas Fund.

And there may be more coming from the two lots.

Wendle will donate $100 to the fund for every new Nissan sold in December. The $2,000 check represents the 20 Nissans sold so far this month.

Monday’s donations totaled $36,474.89, for a year-to-date sum of $214,239.72. We are a smidgen past the halfway mark - with just eight days until Dec. 25.

As much as we hate to panic, crunch time is fast approaching. A week from Wednesday, Christmas arrives.

Because there is no financial back-up for the Christmas Fund, once the money is spent, the bureau must stop operations. There’s no such thing as going into the red; no borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. None of the three agencies has resources to make up a deficit.

The Christmas Bureau works on the theory of what we see is what we have. If “we” don’t see enough money, we won’t have the wherewithal to help our low-income neighbors.

Won’t you please take a moment to remember those among us who are frantic, wondering what in the world they’re going to do for Christmas?

To help the expected 26,000-plus people with a little Christmas cheer this year, it will take all of us doing and giving as much as we possibly can.

Here are some basic facts on how the Christmas Fund works:

All money received for the Christmas Fund is used exclusively for the toys and food vouchers given to applying low-income families. Nothing is ever held back for expenses. Everyone working at the bureau is a volunteer, and everything connected with the bureau is volunteered.

The money is given to the agencies operating the bureau - Volunteers of America, Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army. Contributions are tax-deductible because the agencies are non-profit.

Should there be any excess money after expenses have been met for the toys and vouchers, it will be used for next year’s Christmas drive.

The toys, given to every child 18 or younger, are top quality. They are bought at the lowest possible prices all year long.

Food vouchers range in value from $10 to $50, depending on family size. They are redeemable at most supermarkets and may be used only for food to help with the cost of Christmas groceries. Nothing else.

Won’t you please take a moment out of your busy pre-holiday schedule and write a check to the Christmas Fund? Bring it, or mail it, to the fourth-floor newsroom, 999 W. Riverside (Box 516) Spokane, 99210.

Chud Wendle of Wendle Nissan sent this message along with his company’s contribution: “We are proud to join forces on a cause that has an immediate impact towards those who have fallen on hard times. This cause not only has benefits that stay within our community, but also is a cause that turns 100 percent of its contributions to the needy in Spokane.”

In other gifts Monday, Industrial Personnel Inc., 1119 Ironwood Parkway, Coeur d’ Alene, donated $1,000. An anonymous donor gave $600.

Dave and Ken, the “Breakfast Boys” at KZZU, donated $500 from the “Breakfast Boys Christmas Wish Fund,” which has made some special wishes come true in the community, according to Dave Sposito.

“We have been aware of the wonderful program you have been doing the past several years … and want to contribute $500 towards your efforts. … Our staff and management fully supports our gift to your program,” Sposito wrote.

Others giving $500 were Industrial Welding Co., 1203 N. Greene; Taylor Engineering Inc., 106 W. Mission; Providence Services, 9 E. Ninth; Helen Turner, 2903 E. 25th; and Herb, Sue, Carmen and Seth Millhorn, Worley, Idaho, who included a quote from Kenneth Copeland: “Jesus never built a worldly empire for himself. But that doesn’t mean he was poor. It means he was the greatest giver who ever walked the face of this earth, and it’s time we started following in his footsteps.”

A gift of $485 was received from Transtector Systems Inc., Hayden Lake, with a letter from Jim Nelson, director of corporate accounts, whose 110 employees from North Idaho and Eastern Washington were asked to give what they could “to make someone else’s Christmas a little brighter.” The Washington employees voted to donate their contributions to the Christmas Fund.

“It is with all the spirit and optimism of the season that we send this check today,” Nelson wrote.

Western Wood Building Supply, 8003 N. Market, gave $400.

Contributions of $300 came from Stephen Darling and Karen Dahl-Darling, 6912 S. Brookshire, who wrote: “This is the season of giving and we are so happy to contribute to this worthy charity.” Ann Masson, Pullman, also gave $300, as did Al and Joyce Harper, Spokane residents “wintering” in Yuma, Ariz. There was one anonymous donation of $300. Spokane Falls Community College Student Services gave $292.

Family members Fred, Harriett and Gene Grey; Barbara, Dan, Linda, George, Georgina and Felecia Loos, and Tony and Marti Thomas, decided not to exchange gifts among themselves this year and “give it to the families of those in our community who truly need it. May the spirit of Christmas be always in your hearts,” a family member wrote with their gift of $275.

Giving $250 were Erika Balazs, 3206 W. Connaught; D.W. Cornwall Farms Inc., Fairfield; Litho Air Printers Inc., 118 S. Lincoln; Sisters of Providence, St. Ignatius Province, 9 E. Ninth; and Randal and Loretta DeFelice, 329 W. Charlton.

David and Carey Jasman, Odessa, gave $200, as did Edward and Eunice Loskot, 620 N. Willow Crest; the 1994 class of North Central High School; Robert Mitchel, 3323 S. Manito Blvd.; John Skelton, 4011 W. Northwest Blvd.; R.A. Bedford, Deer Park; the Jeremiah Family, Spokane; and Frank and Tricia Goodman, 15713 N. Edencrest.

As they’ve done for several years, sixth-grade students at Arlington Elementary baked treats to sell at school for a quarter each. This year they raised $164.51, coordinator Gwen Sanders said in her “Note From Teacher.” This teacher’s note was great to receive.

Gifts of $100 came from Domini Sandwiches, 703 W. Sprague; Sharon Wilkins, 1415 S. Walnut; Jack and Miriam Finnegan, 223 E. Rockwood Blvd.; Marvin and Helen Soehren, 514 W. Hastings Road; Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Seward, Veradale; Richard Hubbard, 126 W. Nebraska; Vernald Mackliet, 10031 N. Seminole; Dr. Scott and Kathy Crews, 5404 N. Timber Rim Drive; and Art and Terri Henry, 4503 S. Woodruff.

Rom Ross, owner of Dunrite Roofing Co., 2228 E. Sharp, gave $100 with this note: “Being the father of 10 children, believe me, I know what lean years were. I challenge the other roofing companies to at least meet, or possibly exceed, our meager donation.”

Other $100 donations came from Club Contempo North, 1207 E. Lyons; Roy Finck and Ines Wynendaele, 3119 W. 22nd; and Cynthia Cass, 103 W. 26th, who wrote, “We are so grateful for our many blessings - our daughter, our health, our happiness and our warm home. We hope our gift may bring happiness to another this holiday season.”

Dick and Guyla Wigen, Ritzville, gave $100 along with Earl and E. Luverne Johnson, 5218 N. Lincoln; Roy and Eris Heggem, 11318 E. 25th; Mr. and Mrs. L.R. Tompkins, 16313 N. Pittsburg Lane; Judith K. Gardner, 128 W. 27th; Mrs. Milton Johnson, 1517 W. Pinehill Road; Mr. and Mrs. David Burgett, Newman Lake; Ted Earl, 2914 E. 32nd; and Dr. Bill Molsberry, NorthTown Office Building, 4407 N. Division.

There were 12 anonymous donations of $100, one in memory of Dorothy C. Gordon, another “in memory of Jack,” one in memory of Dr. David B. Wilsey and another “to honor all the utility crews who worked long hours in potentially dangerous conditions.”

, DataTimes