Christmas Fund 1997 Fund Makes Sure Santa Gets There Donors Can Help Him Find His Way
A stocking hangs from the festively decorated fireplace mantel; a plate of cookies and a glass of milk are on the hearth. And a little boy, dressed in pajamas for bed, bends down to look up the chimney. He’s looking, of course, for Santa.
The Christmas card picture accompanied a donation to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. The donor thought it represents the fund’s mission - which it does exactly.
Versions of that scene will be enacted around the world next week as children anticipate the arrival of the jolly, fat elf who has become larger than life since his first chimney descent in Clement Clark Moore’s 1860 poem.
In the Spokane area, thousands upon thousands of caring people are contributing money to the Christmas Fund to make sure none of the thousands of low-income children goes without a visit from Santa this year.
On Wednesday, $34,138.81 arrived toward that goal, making for a total of $265,814.94 - a hair above where the fund was a year ago on this day.
A goal of $425,000 has been set to meet the challenge of providing a toy for each child of each low-income family and to give those families a food voucher so a tasty, holiday meal can be served.
If you can help the Christmas Fund reach its goal - financially and altruistically - please send in a contribution today. Time’s getting short. Santa’s going to be dropping down those chimneys in less than a week.
The employees of Jensen Distribution Services, with Michael Jensen as president, gave $2,850 to help the fund reach its goal.
Walter Haig II, CPA and Consultant, 414 W. Fifth, donated $1,500; the employees at PAML - Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories, 11604 E. Indiana, held a “Dress Down Day” as a fund-raiser for the Christmas Fund and collected $1,142, including matched funds from the company.
“Hopefully, this will make the holidays brighter for people in our area with needs,” wrote Jan Gregerson, spokeswoman.
The R.A. Pearson Co., 8120 W. Sunset Highway, gave $1,000, as did the employees of Transtector Systems & R.O. Associates, Ltd., Power Quality Management, Hayden Lake, with an accompanying letter: “1997 has seen many changes (for the company), but one thing has not changed - our commitment to helping others within our community.”
The employees used payroll deduction for the Christmas Fund, with the company matching the donations.
There were two anonymous gifts of $1,000, as well as one for $700.
Contributions of $500 came from the staff of Taylor Engineering, Inc., 106 W. Mission, who are regular donors; Providence Services, 9 E. Ninth; Herb, Sue, Carmen and Seth Millhorn, Worley; Hubert Travaille, 1224 W. Riverside; and Gary and Susan Baskett, given “In His name.”
Robert Kendall, 4125 E. 18th, gave $500, as did the employees and officials of Humanix, 7307 N. Division; Carl and Coral Stark, 1827 E. 35th; and four anonymous donors, one given “in memory of Tom and Jim Baker who loved Christmas so much.”
The staff and attorneys of Richter-Wimberley, Attorneys at Law, 601 W. Riverside, gave $405 - “the result of an interoffice challenge by lawyers to each other to double the contributions of the staff,” according to a letter signed by everyone.
“The Richter-Wimberley law firm issues a challenge to every other law firm in town to dig into their own pockets and match or exceed our contribution!”
James and Julie Psomas, Liberty Lake, gave $400. The gifts of Ruth Botchek, 4906 W. Alcott Court, and Nancy and Gregory Grissom, totaled $350, with Mrs. Botchek’s given as a memorial to her brother, Glenn Shepard, and Dorie Lawrence, her cousin.
Gifts of $300 were from David and Betsy Coombs; and Jack and Ellen Miller, Cheney. There was one anonymous donation given “in memory of a very special lady, Lizzi Brentfeller, who passed away this past fall.”
Dan, Linda, Ryan and Brett Green, Rathdrum, gave $280.81, with this note from Dan: “Thank you for distributing this money without the administrative costs other charities seem to accrue. We know our donation is actually making it into the hands of people that need a little help.
“Our son Ryan (8) is giving $10.50 and Brett (5-1/2) is giving $20.31 out of their savings accounts. They understand their gifts will put presents under the tree for some other children who are not so lucky as themselves.”
Mike Chilton (with Kathy and Mo), 2520 S. Magnolia, gave $250 “to honor and thank the staff at the VA Nursing Home Care Unit for their care and friendship during my recent extended stay. God bless you - each and everyone.”
There were two anonymous gifts of $250, including one with notes from two children; one note read in part, “we believe all people need something during the Christmas season.” The other wrote the Christmas Fund is “a good organization that gets money and toys out to the needy. Our family is very happy that you have the Christmas Fund and that we are in a position to help.”
There was an anonymous gift of $250; the employees of Branom Instrument Co. gave $230 with this note: “Instead of a gift exchange this year, we decided to send our gift money to a wonderful cause. We hope our small contribution will make a brighter Christmas for some family or child.”
Gifts of $200 came from Carol and Jeffrey Larson, 6505 E. Ninth; Jaynie Hansen, 12914 E. 27th; Lester and Clara Mae Randall, 2929 S. Waterford Drive, in honor of their grandchildren, Katey, Marjie, Jamie and Joe; Ellen and Ray Boots, 626 N. Best Road, “in loving memory of our daughter-in-law, Pat Port, who worked for many years in the neonatal intensive care unit at Sacred Heart.”
Other gifts of $200 came from Bonnie and E.T. Presnell, Cheney, in loving memory of Leona Harbin; Employees Local 1135 with the Spokane County Highway Department, 1105 W. Francis; the Manito Veterinary Clinic, 2308 E. 57th; Bobby Allen in the names of her children, Lana, David, Rebecah, Myah and Tina; grandchildren LeAnne, Travis Colby and Misty; and great-grandchildren Kiel and Odessa.
Norman and Dr. Sharon Genung, 937 W. 33rd, gave $200 as did two anonymous donors, one from a Greenacres couple who wrote: “I already doubled our usual amount, but it seems like money is very slow coming in this year, so we would like to contribute another $200.
Members of the Audubon Terrace Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints sent $170, the result of a “Caring Tree… to share the Christmas Spirit with those in need.”
“Mount Spokane High School students who care” gave $165; Richard and Lucille Hallett, 7031 Greenwood Blvd., gave $150, as did an anonymous donor and Melody Nuxoll, 13506 E. 26th, “in memory of Judy Gochnauer, mother and grandmom,” who died this summer. “She would be thrilled to know that children will be blessed by this.”
There was an anonymous gift of $145; a gift of $130 was given “in loving memory of Edna Caddis, “wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law and grandmother,” from Jim Caddis, Karen and Mike Burrell, Jeannie and Ray Plopper, Connie and Marty Brunner, and grandchildren Devon and Stephen Plopper.
Gifts of $125 came from Dr. Bruce and Ann Dentler, 7711 N. Panorama Drive; Jack and Phyllis Worden, 11617 N. Kathy Drive; and Marvin and Verna who work for the Christmas Bureau, with “Peace on Earth to Men (and Women) of Good Will!”
A gift of $120 was received from a set of anonymous grandparents in honor of their 12 beloved grandchildren.
Contributions of $100 came from John and Margaret Rowland, 637 E. 22nd; Ed Baker, 3807 E. Funk; Tony and Zoma Martino, Davenport; Gladys Lynch, Colfax; the families of Joe Starbell and Scott Thorpe with “Our family has so much to be thankful for and we want to share with others.”
Ron and Diane Kaufman, 5015 S. Woodfield Lane, gave $100, as did Jack and Leola Gleason, 5219 W. Myrtlewood Court; Bob and Marian Hansen, 5208 S. St. Andrews Lane; Dr. Roger and Orene Harder, 702 S. Rimrock Drive, in memory of their fathers, Orin and Adolf, and grandchildren, Lindsy and Wade; Norm and Dolores Seeberger, 9026 N. Cedar Road.
, DataTimes