Christmas Fund 1996 Huge Finale Surpasses Goal New Toy Or Game Greets 13,660 Children, Thanks To 2,818 Donors

And the angels sang, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund topped its $400,000 goal in another year of unprecedented giving.

Gifts received by noon Tuesday helped bring the day’s total to $62,709.39.

Which gives a grand - a very grand - total of $451,915.44 for the 1996 Christmas Fund.

Your donations, all 2,818 of them, helped bring cheer to the 8,685 families who applied for help, said Ken Trent, director of the Christmas Bureau.

That number breaks down to 13,660 children who each received a new toy, and 12,257 adults who received food vouchers to help them prepare a more festive Christmas Day dinner.

“It just shows what a great community we live in,” Trent said, “how many caring and concerned folks. This is a great area.”

Just think - 13,660 children woke up this morning with a new toy or game. That’s a sea of happy faces smiling this morning.

This Christmas miracle absolutely could not have been achieved without everyone’s generous support.

Thank you.

That doesn’t seem enough to say for all the support shown, but … sometimes words fail to carry the right amount of appreciation.

Topping Tuesday’s gifts was a $3,000 donation from employees of Garco Construction, 4114 E. Broadway. The firm and staff of Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole, 422 W. Riverside, contributed $2,133 to help “make Christmas a whole lot brighter for some very deserving people.”

Contributions of $2,000 came from the staff of Dealers Auto Auction of Spokane; Roen Associates of Spokane; Roger and Kathleen Chase, 1225 W. 19th; and two anonymous donors.

Lydig Construction Inc., 603 N. Havana, also gave $2,000 with a letter from Larry J. Swartz, president: “On behalf of all our employees, we would like to express how fortunate we feel in being able to experience the joy of giving in making this contribution.

“We are thankful to those who dedicate their time and effort in carrying out the work of the Christmas Fund. People helping others is so much a part of what this season represents.”

A gift of $1,508 came from employees and management of Mackay Manufacturing, 10011 E. Montgomery, “to help those people in need at this time of year”; Huppin’s Hi-Fi Photo and Video, 419-421 W. Main, gave $1,370 with a note from Murray Huppin: “Spokane is a wonderful community for our company to do business. The owners and employees of Huppin’s thank The Spokesman-Review for the opportunity to share our business this holiday season.” Agrium U.S. Inc., 601 W. Riverside, gave $1,200.

Contributions of $1,000 came from Elmer and Fern Hessdorfer, 5823 N. Drumheller, “so we, our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy sharing our Christmas with the less fortunate”; Jerry Kunz, 519 E. LaCrosse, in memory of Jack Roberts; Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co., certified accountants and business consultants, 1516 W. Riverside, on behalf of the management and staff to “help bring a little Christmas cheer to some families in need this year.”

Other $1,000 gifts came from Safeway Supply Inc., 1507 E. Sprague; Cominco American Inc., 601 W. Riverside; the David and Dorothy Pierce Trust Fund, with a note from William H. Moore, senior vice president and manager of Washington Trust Bank, which handles the trust fund: “We believe the Pierces would be very happy to know these funds will bring a blessing to many of our less fortunate neighbors this Christmas season.”

Ross Printing Co., 1611 E. Sprague, gave $1,000, as did Rod’s Electric and one anonymous donor.

Humanix Personnel Services and Learning Centers, 7307 N. Division, gave $600 on behalf of its staff, wrote Julie Prafke, president, who also said: “I am especially proud of their efforts and want to thank them for their generosity.”

Employees of a company requesting anonymity gave $515 rather than exchange gifts with one another. “It seemed only appropriate, especially considering the devastation of the ice storm.” Gifts of $500 were received from Walter Hastings, “in memory of my wonderful wife, Afton, in hopes it will help someone have a good Christmas”; Steve Sanwick, 7811 S. Cuba, in memory of his father; the Fisher family in Greenacres; Hagby U.S.A. Inc., Coeur d’ Alene; Linda Hull, Colbert; Spokane Valley Fire Fighters Local 876.

Mike Smith, Spokane district manager of Sprint PCS, sent a gift of $500 “to benefit the people of Spokane who are helped through the Christmas Fund. … This gift comes as a result of people connecting with others by using a new Sprint PCS phone at the December Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce ‘Good Morning Spokane.’ For each call made, Spring PCS added to its gift total.” There were also four anonymous donors giving $500.

An anonymous donor gave $450; Merit Electric of Spokane gave $404.75; employees of Coopers and Lybrand, 601 W. Riverside, opted to give $400 rather than have one of their usual holiday activities. American Express Financial Advisors, 111 W. North River Drive, also gave $400, as well as an anonymous donor in memory of John S. Reid IV, a former Spokesman-Review employee who died several years ago.

An anonymous donor gave $350. The Dave Cooper and May Etter Jr. families gave $325, and Kenneth and Clara Knudson, 13321 E. 12th, gave $305.

Gifts of $300 came from Sam and Anne Thoen, wintering in Palm Desert; Electric City Inc., Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Anderson, 12620 E. 15th; Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Mahar, 1224 E. Bismark; Sacred Heart Medical Center 3 South; Paul and Susan Chapin, 4423 S. Madelia; the Walters family, 221 S. Rockwood, “with much love and gratitude to God and to the city with a heart”; and Mutual Travel, with its headquarters in Seattle, with a letter from Robin Montgomery, project coordinator: “In lieu of corporate gifts to our clients and vendors in 1996,” Mutual Travel gave to the Christmas Fund. There were also four anonymous donors of $300.

Employees and management of Union Financial Corp., 4407 N. Division, gave matching funds totaling $250.

Other gifts of $250 came from Darrel and Della Bailey and Darrel Jr. and Diane Bailey, 2636 E. 37th, who contributed to the Christmas Fund rather than exchange gifts with one another.

More $250 donations came from The Ladies of Sadir Khan Gratto “to help make Christmas a little happier for children and families in need”; Robert and Marijaine Riegel, 5025 N. Argonne Lane; Peter Grossman and Marilyn Seago, 709 W. Sumner, “in loving memory of my father, Bill Seago, who died five years ago today.”

SDR at Sacred Heart Medical Center also gave $250, as did the employees at Spokane Oncology; and an anonymous donor, who gave “in memory of my husband and a very sweet mother.”

Employees of Moland Greeting Card Co. gave $230, as did Starbucks on 29th from its golf, tennis and social club.

Gifts of $200 were received from Roger and Kathleen Chase, 1225 W. 19th; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Wilke, 2115 W. 44th; Mabel Caine and Bill McInerney, 2828 W. Olympic; K. Ferro, 16608 N. Morton Drive; Sandra Wilson, Spokane, in memory of Ray O. Wilson, who died last March; Robert and Rebecca Egger, 2336 S. Pittsburg; Mark and Marcy Few, 5549 S. Cheney Spokane-Road, “in thanksgiving to God for all He’s given us.”

Conner, Kasey and Kody gave $200, as did Dr. Steven Gregg, 508 W. Seventh, in memory of LaVerne Gregg; Erle and Caren Furbeyre, 2011 Helena; David Adams, 504 E. 20th; Victor and Lisa Paternoster, 214 W. 25th; and three anonymous donors.

Employees of Enhanced Software Products gave $185. Donald and Christine Querna, 2515 S. Garfield, gave $180. Rich and Carol Hendershot, 6007 W. Hopi Court, gave $150.

Giving $200 were Donald Peterson, 317 W. Brierwood; Metals Fabrication, Spokane; Lila Chandler and Doug and Jill Chandler, 9609 N. Wieber; Operation Stop at Burlington Northern, Sante Fe, N.M., “on behalf of our Spokane employees”; and two anonymous donors. The family at 8102 N. Freya gave $140, and employees of Agium and Cominco gave $128.

Donations of $125 came from M.B. Eckelbarger, Deer Park, in memory of Howard Eckelbarger, who died last year; the Rev. and Mrs. Phillip Mueller, 1018 E. Wabash; the staff at Spokane Media Federal Credit Union, 905 W. Riverside; and Sharon and Kimberly, “in loving memory of our Uncle Joe - you will be in our hearts forever.”

Employees of the Grange Insurance Association’s eastern region, 1225 N. Argonne, and an anonymous donor each gave $110. The SOS Kids 4-H gave $109.10; the Spokane office employees of CH2M Hill gave $102.01.

Gifts of $100 came from Harry and Virginia Levitch, 1323 E. 37th; Dave Milbrath, 13211 N. Howard Lane; Mr. and Mrs. D.J. Kramer, 700 W. Seventh; Melvin and Gloria McCuddin; Gale Stocking, Coeur d’ Alene; AnitaMae and Robert Cole, 5801 S. Lacey Lane; Timothy and M. Camille Schmidt, Valleyford; Shirley and Lyle Edmund Crecelius, Colbert; and Kevin and Sheila Masteller, 8912 N. Kensington Drive.

Daniel and Lorraine Klobucher, Chattaroy, gave $100, as did Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith, Veradale; Enid and Clyde Sagvold, 6806 S. Ben Burr; the staff of Woodridge Elementary; Dr. Armand DeFelice and his staff: Danny Asan, Betty Brighton, Vicki Johnson, Andy Gaunt and Linda Dire; Bruce and Carole Andregg, 1517 S. Maple; Bemis Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Jeff Watkins, 404 S. Pines Road; and TEK Manufacturing Inc., 6315 E. Alki.

Other $100 gifts came from Ruth and Bob Erickson, Newport; Tom Carroll, 6120 N. Maple; the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club Inc., Spokane; the Aggers family, 4512 W. Wiele; Dr. John Obde and staff, 3233 W. Indian Trail; Beverly McKinlay, Nine Mile Falls; and the LaBrosse family of Tim, Darlene, Ken and Devin.

John and Charlotte Sullivan, 4419 W. Elderberry, also gave $100, as did John Gaffney Jr., 1335 Ben Burr Blvd., in memory of John Gaffney Jr. and Elizabeth Gaffney; Maurice and Rosemary Twomey, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Elsie Hester, 2903 E. 25th; the Spokane Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors, Spokane; and Key Financial Services, Tapio Center, 104 S. Freya.

The University High School French Club gave $100 in memory of Mike Rinaldi, a former student, who took French for four years. “His contribution to the class was an important one. He is greatly missed and we know that this donation will be used for a good purpose.”

Dennis and Linda Ashlock of Ashco Insurance, Broadway at Pines, gave $100, as did Dolores Shaffer, Inchelium; Van and Ada Emerson, 1721 S. Pierce; Bruce Calkins, 705 W. Dalton; and the Greater Spokane Dietetic Association, whose “members are happy to support your efforts at helping our local community.” Other $100 gifts came from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Klassen, 8509 E. Maringo Drive; Nettie Herrmann, 707 W. Fifth, “in memory of George Herrmann, who always gave to the Christmas Fund.”

Stephen Aspinwall, a member of CAN! (Committed Active Neighbors) volunteers with Washington Mutual, gave $100 to the Christmas Fund as his donation of choice.

Daren Erickson gave $100 as did Marsha Ellefson, Cheney; Daniel Sander, 8315 E. Bridgeport; Pete and Ruth Clarke; Tom and Cynthia John, 15511 N. Cincinnati; Warren Kendall “in honor of my daughters, Mindee and Gina, and as thanks to God for blessing my life in a way that allows me to give so others might have.”

Other $100 donations were from Robert and Marian Cummings, 6520 S. Waneta; Jan and G.A. Zwetsch, 1221 E. 54th; Marilyn and Barry Rookey, 13530 W. Shore, Nine Mile Falls; Thomas and Janice Angston, 3808 E. 48th; and Scott McGann of Sedwick James of Washington Inc., 601 W. Main.

He wrote: “The recent ice storm taught us all what it is to be without some of life’s basic necessities. By donating, we can bring a smile to a child’s face this Christmas and satisfaction to a parent who would otherwise struggle to have a gift under the tree.”

“We wish you a Merry Christmas!” was the happy greeting from Alex and Kaitlyn, twins who are 8 years old, and Jake, 13, who enclosed a $100 check.

Also giving $100 were Cameron and Associates, 8419 N. Northview; Ryan, Amber and Steve Goodell, and Denise, Kevin and David Schafer; and Gary and Andrea Gunning, 925 E. 28th.

There were 22 anonymous $100 gifts, one in memory of Bea Hills, another in memory of Helen and one “in thanksgiving for all God’s blessings to our family.” Omited from the list of givers with the Fernwell Officeplex were Rock City Cucina Italiano and employees; Finer & Pugsley; and New Dawn Books.

, DataTimes