Foundry gives $25,000
Two substantial donations gave the Christmas Fund a much-needed boost today, bumping the fund total to $281,829.41, ever closer to the $500,000 goal needed to help local families.
As they have for a number of years, the owners and employees of Travis Pattern & Foundry gave a big donation to the Christmas Fund, this year sending a $25,000 check.
“The owners and employees of Travis Pattern & Foundry again wish to donate the funds that we would have spent on a Christmas party to your fund,” wrote president Travis Garske. “We are very pleased to enclose a check in the amount of $25,000. We hope we can help make Christmas a little brighter for some Spokane families. We wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a great new year in 2005.”
Charlie and Kathy Watson and MMI, of Minneapolis, Minn., donated $10,000. “In the spirit of the holiday season and to help those less fortunate, MMI is proud to be able to help the Christmas Bureau make this Christmas merrier for families in Spokane,” the Watsons wrote.
These generous donations brought the daily tally to $49,772.50. The Christmas Bureau, which distributes the fixings of Christmas to needy families, will close for the year at 2:30 today. Thursday, 581 food vouchers worth $16,795 were given out; the bureau served 935 adults and gave toys to 879 children.
The following are the donations and donors from Thursday’s tally:
The faculty of University High School sent $1,144 and a challenge: “In what has become an annual tradition, the faculty of University High School has dedicated itself to helping those less fortunate during the holiday season. We are proud to show our spirit as Titans, and would like to present you with this donation of $1,144 to share with the needy in the Spokane area. We propose a challenge to the faculty of all other area schools to meet or beat our efforts.”
Bill and Sharon Bronson, of Spokane Valley, donated $1,000.
Dave Petersen, D.D.S., and staff, of Spokane, gave $750. “Please accept this gift in honor of our many wonderful patients whom we treasure throughout the year,” wrote Petersen. “And thank you for providing this opportunity to help so many Spokane-area families enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season.”
The Superintendent’s Council of Spokane Public Schools – Brian Benzel, Mark Anderson, Nancy Stowell, Barb Wright and Terren Roloff – donated $550. “As administrators for Spokane Public Schools, we are grateful for this opportunity to help the children we serve,” they wrote.
The Spokane Lodge BPOE No. 228 donated $500, as did Molly and James Philopant, of Spokane; James and Terry Coombes, of Nine Mile Falls; Jackie and Ellen Miller, of Cheney; Colvico Inc., of Spokane; and T.A. Olcovich, of Coeur d’Alene.
Drs. Steve Richards, Lori Smetana and Mac McCaffree, of OB/GYN Associates of Spokane, donated $500. “Thank you for coordinating this regional event to assist the people of our area at this special time of year. We appreciate your effort and dedication to this purpose. We celebrate the meaning of the season and wish you and your employees a blessed and wonderful holiday season,” they wrote.
The Clearwater Summit Group, of Spokane, donated $500. “It is with deep gratitude that we are able to contribute to the Christmas Fund,” wrote President Tim Sweet. “The Spokane community and our special clients have rewarded us generously this year and we are happy to be able to share that generosity with fellow citizens who are in need. We especially appreciate the fact that all proceeds go to the recipients.
The students of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, of Spokane, donated $423.50. “This is a small gift to the Spokane community from the students of Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute,” wrote executive vice president Hiroshi Takaoka. “The students are going to leave Spokane for their homes in Japan in one week with a number of fond memories of Spokane after finishing the 15-week study. They are very appreciative for your warm-hearted friendship and support.”
Beverly Harvey, of Spokane, donated $400 in memory of her parents, Earl and Lella Franklin.
Mark and Jessie Bekken and Questar Marketing Inc., of Spokane, gave $300 with thanks to their clients for their support, “so that we may give.”
The Spokane Symphony Chorale donated $285.
The Local 1553 PA, which represents deputy prosecuting attorneys in the county of Spokane, donated $250.
Dan and Mary Jeremiah, of Spokane Valley, gave $250, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane.
An anonymous donor of Spokane sent $205.
Jerome Keller, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Gary and Linda Hargrave, Robert and Diane Notske, Wilhite Enterprises Inc., and Ellie and Earl Adolphson, all of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, of Hermiston, Ore.
Pat Meyers, of Spokane, left $200 and a note at the newspaper: “I have been a Spokesman-Review carrier for over 20 years and am ever so grateful for the great acts of kindness from my many customers.”
An anonymous donor gave $200 in memory of Devin Johnson.
The Southridge Women’s Bunco Group, of Spokane, donated $175.
Carey Williams and Alicia Sullivan, of Spokane, donated $150. Russell and Lisa Akerhielm, of Spokane, gave $150 in memory of Kathleen Rotchford.
Allen and Phillis Olp, of Chattaroy, donated $125.
Jerry and Darlene Ashby, of Spokane, donated $100, as did James and Lois Critzer, Michael Slavens, Carrie Prentice, Paul and Elizabeth Kennar, Bill and Harriet Plucker, and Steve and Linda Swartley, all of Spokane.
Bruce Calkins, of Spokane, sent $100, as did Rick and Chris Schrader, of Colbert; Steven MacKenzie, of Spokane, Scott and Connie Brunell, of Spangle; John and Doris Peterson, of Nine Mile Falls; two anonymous donors, of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, of Colbert.
Patricia and Gerald Johnson, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “We recently moved to Spokane from California and wish to make a contribution for the children in Spokane.”
The staff of Holy Family Surgery Center and PSA Department sent $90 in lieu of a gift exchange, “in hopes that some families may have a merry Christmas.”
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $75, and another anonymous Spokane donor gave $70.
Ronald Doyen, of Spokane, gave $50, as did the Otis Orchards Women’s Club, Brad, Jon and Chris Ennis and Terren Roloff; Linda Martin; Robert and Jeanette Johnson, all of Spokane; Doris Matsch, of Spokane Valley; and Alice and Lorin Love, of Mead.
Russell and Helen Inman, of Spokane Valley, donated $50 in memory of Casey Condon, who passed away earlier this year.
Audrey and Karl Schott, of Spokane, gave $50, as did John and Eleanor Robson, Juliet Robertson, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.
Marsha Hansen, of Spokane, donated $30.
Ann Carey and Patty Rabel, of Spokane, donated $25 in memory of their dad, Ken Rabel. Anonymous donors, of Spokane Valley, sent $25 in honor of their grandchildren, Caden, Mason and soon-to-be-born Larissa.
Donna and Charles Pierce, of Spokane Valley, sent $25, as did Mark’s U-Save Insurance Agency Inc., of Spokane; James and Jean Supinger, of Medical Lake; Steven and Elizabeth Hitch, of Spokane; Michael and Marion Fietek, of Cheney; and Linda Brown, of Otis Orchards.
Margaret and Jim Burke, of Spokane, donated $25, as did the Zion Lutheran Church, Fairfield, Wash.; Jo, of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.