Investment firm gives fund $12,000 infusion

A $12,000 donation by Ken Roberts Investment Management Inc., gave the Christmas Fund a big boost Tuesday. The generous gift by the Spokane firm was part of $29,630.32 in donations that brought the Christmas Fund to $87,521.30.

“We have participated in the past as donors to the Christmas Fund, and we appreciate all the efforts you have made in our community. We are thankful for your efforts on behalf of those that need assistance, and we appreciate all the donors and volunteers of Spokane that work together to make our community a better place for all,” Ken Roberts wrote for himself and Sharon Roberts, Heather LaLone, Toni Fredrick, Vinson Cai, Lynn Fruin, Mark Ostersmith, Stacy Lacroix and Leslie Yates.

The Christmas Fund needed just such a boost. The fund has 23 days remaining in which to raise the remainder of the $500,000 needed to provide the fixings of Christmas to needy families. That’s an average daily donation of about $18,000.

In the past four years, readers have donated more than $2 million to the holiday charity.

The fund buys toys and food vouchers distributed at the Christmas Bureau at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. The bureau will be open until 6:30 p.m. today to serve the working poor.

In addition to the Ken Roberts donation, the following are donations from Tuesday’s tally. A second story on page A11 lists more donations. Online donations are noted with an asterisk.

The Hagan Foundation, of Spokane, donated $1,000. “It is our intention that this money will assist with the rising demand for assistance in our community,” Kathie Allen wrote for the foundation’s board.

James Love, of Spokane, also donated $1,000.

Christi and Gilbert Smith, of Colbert, Wash., donated $500, as did Terry and Katherine Deno, of Spokane; Gary and Shirley Branson, of Thousand Palms, Calif.; and three anonymous donors.

Tipke Manufacturing, of Spokane, sent $500 and a note: “Thank you for all the good you do. We would hate to think of a Christmas in our community without your willingness to help.”

Gary Miller, of Spokane, donated $300 in memory of his parents, Margaret and Lonnie Miller. Judy and Eric Spangenberg, of Pullman, donated $300, as did Mary Lou and Peter Bach, of Spokane; Dee and Bob Griffith, of Veradale; Sondra Wildman, of Spokane; and Marshall Shore, of Spokane.

The Order Sons of Italy in America, Lodge 2172, of Spokane, sent $300 and a note: “We members of the American-Italian Club are thankful for our heritage and the opportunities we have had living and working in this community. The enclosed check is one of the ways we are saying thanks. It gives us comfort to know we are helping those less fortunate.”

Tim and Jackie Randall, of Cheney, donated $250, as did Larry and Patricia Bishop, of Coeur d’Alene; and John and Whitney, of Spokane.

Paul and Terry Giordanella, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Kenneth Ferro, of Spokane; Leslie and Derek Yates, of Spokane; John and Joan Hartung, of Spokane Valley; an anonymous donor from Rockford, Wash.; two anonymous donors of Spokane; Patty and William Houff, of Spokane; Jean and Jack Crabb, of Cheney; and Burt and Shirley Pendleton, of Spokane.

The owners and staff of Lindsay Soft Water of Spokane, sent $200 and a note: “We hope that even in some small way it can help others in our community have a wonderful holiday,” wrote President Bob Schneider.

James and Elaine Peplinski, of Spokane Valley, donated $175.

The Woman’s Club of Spokane, donated $152, the proceeds from a Four Bits a Bite Luncheon and donations of pocket change.

Classic Mustang, of Spokane, donated $150, as did Richard and Lauretta Byrd, Lucille and Morris Slavens, Allan and Marian Morrison, Betty and David Johnston, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Dan and Nettie Simonson, donated $145.35 in memory of Stewart, Kent and Dorothy Simonson.*

Clyde and Mary Bemis, of Spokane, donated $125.