Christmas Fund 1997 Glad To Call Lilac City Her Home, She Gives $2,500 Anonymous Donors Lead Way As Total Edges Past Halfway

How do you spell “home”?

S-P-O-K-A-N-E is how one reader spells it.

The woman, who requested anonymity, gave $2,500 to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. Spokane, she says, is “the city with a really big heart.”

The gift from her heart helped Tuesday’s donations reach $26,448.55. So far, $231,676.13 has been collected toward the goal of $425,000.

For those keeping track - and who isn’t? - Christmas Eve is one week from today. With simple subtraction, you can see what we’re up against - nearly $200,000 still to raise.

In one week.

Behind the statistics of dollars and the number of people served at the Christmas Bureau each day is the image of children anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus.

Oh, to believe in Santa again. The purity of a child’s dream. Fulfilling that dream is what the Christmas Fund is all about. Won’t you please help make those dreams come true?

The Christmas Fund buys toys for children and provides their parents with food vouchers to help pay for holiday groceries.

The anonymous donation described above is “from someone who was born here, has traveled a lot and thanks God that Spokane still spells HOME.”

What a privilege it is to live in Spokane, with its big-city environs knit together with the individual hearts of caring citizens.

Others helping reach Tuesday’s total include a donor who anonymously gave $2,000 and Hazel Toly, 1224 W. Riverside, who contributed $1,500.

Employees of BMC West Corp., 6206 E. Trent, which sells building materials, contributed $1,500 “on behalf of all our wonderful customers,” wrote Steve Victor, general manager.

A grandmother and grandfather gave $1,000 “to share with those less fortunate.” As they have done each year, they donated in the names of their grandchildren: “Main Man, Dancing Darling, Angel Girl, Beautiful, Jake the Snake, Spindle Hips, Judge and Character.”

Another $1,000 donation came from Kaiser Aluminum, Northwest External Affairs, 10220 N. Nevada, and a letter from Susan Ashe, public affairs manager:

“On behalf of Tom Franklin, John Walker and all of Kaiser Aluminum’s Spokane employees, we are pleased to contribute…

“At Kaiser, 1997 has had its rewards and challenges, and it is with heartfelt thanks we are able to provide some measure of comfort to those from our community in need.”

The Suburbanites, a group of women who raise money for those in need, gave $650.

A gift of $500 came from Monsignor James Ribble, pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Cathedral, who said his parish has “a sense of inner-city responsibility. We are a magnet parish that draws people from all walks of life.”

There was an anonymous gift of $500.

Norrine and Fred Potts Jr., 14323 E. Alki, gave $400; an anonymous business donated $350.

“Members of the Spokane Symphony Chorale donate their time and talent to the Symphony Society’s mission to provide beautiful music to the Inland Northwest,” wrote Dale Flory of the chorale’s executive board. The “Santa Bag” was passed during rehearsal for the annual Holiday Pops Concerts with $347 collected for the Christmas Fund.

As they have each year, the Spokane Inland Empire Chapter of American Ex-Prisoners of War remembered others at this holiday time, this year with a gift of $300. Marion DeGroat, 13404 E. Broadway, also gave $300, as did Ann Masson, Pullman.

There was an anonymous gift of $252; Christy and Emily Himmelright and Chris Carson, 607 W. 22nd, gave $250, “with our heartfelt wishes for a very merry Christmas to EVERYONE.” Sylvia Jimenez and co-workers gave $233.

Gifts of $200 came from Mabel Caine and Bill McInerney, 2828 W. Olympic; Midstream Inc., 220 W. Francis; Tom and Gini Burns, 1522 E. Rockwood Blvd., gave in honor of their daughter Maggie and her son, Matthew, writing, “They will have the joy of their second Christmas together. Maggie has inspired us all with her determination to survive her second bone-marrow transplant. We hope this gift will bring the same joy to others who are less fortunate.”

Bill, Charlotte and Ryan McGuire continued a family tradition of donating to the Christmas Fund with a gift of $200 and a note: “Along with the wonder and magic of Christmas, we want our son Ryan to learn that Christmas is also about giving to people who are in need.”

There were two anonymous gifts of $200.

Charles and Bonnie Robinson, 3212 W. Euclid, gave $150, as did Irma Moore, 402 W. Glass; the River City Ramblers Coachman RV Club; the DOW Investment Club; and an anonymous donor.

The “Carebears” from the South Hill Senior Center dropped change into a Christmas Fund coffee can, collecting $143.

Mary, Kristina, Dianna and Adam Carpenter, owners of the year-round grounds maintenance company, Just A Trim Lawn Care, 16 E. 25th, gave $125 with a note “to say what a great job the Christmas Bureau does every year by shoveling a path for us to help others.”

Jim and Jeanette Koppa, 10504 Balfour Court, sent $125 with, “We hope you reach your goal - we want to help.” There was an anonymous donation of two checks, for $100 and $25.

Ramsey, Wyeth and Kent Larson and Julie Goltz sent $110, with these letters: “Dear Christmas Bureau, I wanted to give some money this year because I’ve seen many more poor people than in years past. I thought it would be nice to help them out. I am glad I am able to support them. Sincerely, Wyeth Larson,” and “I love to help the poor,” Love, Ramsey.”

Judy Shelton and Jim Shelton Jr. sent $100 in memory of Jim Shelton, a longtime, award-winning Spokesman-Review photographer (as well as an all-around wonderful guy).

Other gifts of $100 came from Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hudson, Clayton; Dave and Heidi Murphy and Paige, their 1-week-old daughter; Mr. and Mrs. David DeFoe, 8925 E. States Lane; Evelyn Goetz and Wendy Bright, 515 N. Raymond Road, in memory of Lloyd Goetz and Lloyd Goetz Jr.

Del and Donna Topoll, 1112 E. 54th, gave $100, as did Gloria Felgenhauer, 10803 E. 25th; Alan and Yvonne Edmunds, 4609 E. Birkdale Lane; June Powell, 2225 W. Rockwell; Carol and Bill Barber, 2115 E. 34th, with “Thank you! to the Christmas Fund organizers and volunteers for helping Spokane to share Christmas.”

Other $100 gifts came from B.D. and W.E. Southern, Greenacres; Keith and Sandra Kuester, 611 E. Martingale Court; Alice Hood, Elmer City; Edward and Linda Summerhill, 3304 W. Queen Place; Earl and Mary Ellen Adolphson, 3207 S. Jefferson; Albert and Jean Pistorius, Hayden Lake; and Esther Larson, 8308 N. Austin Road, “to help reach the goal and help someone in need.”

Rhea Strate, 2311 W. 16th, sent $100 “in hopes it will be a happier day for grandchildren who might otherwise not have a bright Christmas this year. From my grandchildren Tea’, Katie, Muriah, Mandie, Tyler and Jordan and their grandmother.”

Other contributions of $100 came from Dennis, Patty Sheila and Rebecca Doyle, 3523 E. Montgomery; Ardell Wallat, 1119 W. 22nd; Steven and Lorrie McNutt, 1102 W. 18th; Jackie Whipps, 530 E. Garland, “in honor of my parents, Virgil and Edna Whipps.”

The Cascade Travel Club, residents of Cascade Mobile Home Community, gave $100, as did members of the Spokane Sunrise East Lions Club in Veradale; Douglas and Margaret McCleary, 6407 E. 17th; the Inland Empire Chapter of the Land Surveyor’s Association of Washington; Lois Whetham, 4127 W. Olympic.

Other $100 gifts came from Mr. and Mrs. Reidar Hodneland, 10602 N. Overview Drive; Bob and June Tesch, 2016 W. Gordon; Virginia and Harry Levitch, with thanks for the “opportunity to be a part of a combined effort to give the most help to the greatest number of people at this most special time of year.”

Bruce Calkins, 705 W. Dalton, gave $100, along with Richard Myers, 10706 N. Klamath Court; John Fowler, 3022 W. Dalke; Tim, Darlene, Ken and Kevin LaBrosse, Coeur d’Alene; Jerry and Darlene Ashby, 6907 N. Hamilton; E.J. and Mary Kimmet, 5812 N. Fotheringham.

There were nine anonymous gifts of $100, including one “In memory of my husband and precious granddaughter who were always helping the less fortunate.”

A gift was made in memory of Frank and Virginia Coleman, with a request not to publish the amount.

, DataTimes