Former recipients give to charity

For some people, donating to the Christmas Fund is about giving back. Every year, a few donors indicate that they once were on the other end of the charity, and now that they are in better financial circumstances, they are returning the gift to others.

Cinda Rosen, of Pullman, is one such donor. She sent $35 to the Christmas Fund with an explanation: “Thank you for making Christmas cheerier for less fortunate families and children. My family was a recipient of the Christmas Fund when I was a child, and I’m grateful the bureau was there to help us. Thank you for making our Christmas better.”

The Christmas Fund’s daily tally Monday was $21,127 with Rosen’s and many others’ help. A generous $6,500 donation from the employees and retirees of Jensen Distribution Services, of Spokane, helped bring the overall Christmas Fund tally to $334,593.95.

The Christmas Bureau, which gives the fixings of Christmas to needy families, closed for the year after helping more than 30,000 people. But about $500,000 in bills must be paid, and that’s where the Christmas Fund comes in. Newspaper readers and area businesses are encouraged to send contributions of all amounts through Dec. 30.

In addition to Rosen and Jensen Distribution Services, the following are donations and the donors from Monday’s tally (online donations are marked with an asterisk):

Kimmel Athletic Supply and its employees, of Spokane, donated $1,500. “Kimmel Athletic Supply and our employees are happy to contribute to this program, knowing it will help provide gifts and good cheer to those less fortunate than ourselves at this special time of year,” wrote Brian Davis.

Bill and Janice Houk, of Spokane, donated $1,000, as did Max J. Kuney Co., of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, of Hauser, Idaho.

The staff at Victor Lumber Co., of Spokane, donated $500 on behalf of their loyal customers.

Wheat & Associates Insurance, Inc., of Spokane, gave $500. “We felt it more appropriate to share with others so that they may have a joyous Christmas in lieu of sending out Christmas cards and gifts to our clients,” wrote company president David Wheat.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $500.

Paul Allison, of Spokane, donated $365.

Lowell and Betty Brooks, of Spokane, donated $300, as did Hayden and Hunter Johnson and Jakob Selden, of Spokane.

David and Louise Inchauspe, of Spokane, sent $300 and a note: “In lieu of giving a ‘I can’t think of what to give for $10’ gift, this gift is in honor of all the staff and employees of USB Financial Services, Spokane Branch.”

The Spokane Yacht Club gave $279.

The employees of RVs Northwest, of Spokane, donated $250 in memory of Tennessee Sam Thurston.

Patrick and Renae Yonker, of Newman Lake, Wash., donated $250, as did Bob Folsom, of Spokane, in memory of his son, Randy J. Folsom.

Joseph and Janice Kaley, of Chattaroy, donated $200, as did Don and Irma Wilson, Robert and Marilyn Salsbury, and Suzy Dix, all of Spokane. An anonymous donor gave $200 in memory of Mom, Peggy, Sharon and Felix. “A grateful patient,” of Spokane, donated $200 in honor of the Physical Therapy Association on Grand Boulevard.

The staff of Spokane Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery gave $175 in honor of Drs. Paxton, Lang and McLelland.

Phyllis and Ewing Johnson, of Spokane, donated $150, as did Wes and Dorothy Newbill, of Otis Orchards; and Marge and Dick O’Neill, of Spokane, “in loving memory of our parents and grandparents.”

The Cascade Park Mobile Homeowners of America, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Lorraine Cannon, of Spokane; Gary and Diane Hutchens, of Spokane Valley; Pete Sherve, of Northport, Wash.; Marv and Helen Soehren, of Spokane; Tom and Karen Dorsey, of Spokane; Sankar and Uma Jayaram, of Pullman; Todd Caldwell and Caldwell Concrete, of Veradale; and David and Kay Stoltz, of Spokane.

Joe and Charri, of Spokane, donated $100, as did John and Sherry Gaiser, of Spokane; Anita Millsap, also of Spokane; West Wind Kennels, of Medical Lake; Virginia Schneidmiller, of St. John, Wash., and Ernie and Johna Packebush, of Spokane.

Gene Carbery, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of his wife, Dixie Lee.

Chris Powell and Ruth Reynolds, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Bill Reynolds.

Bobo’s Video, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “I hope to see other video stores contribute.”

Phil Evans, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of his son, Tim.

Marigail Sulpizio, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of her husband, Denny, “whose favorite part of Christmas was the joy of giving to others.”

Our Lady of Fatima Social Ministries Commission, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “Your program is highly regarded in our church community and many of our parishioners are among your volunteers. We thank you for your service to Spokane and wish you, your staff and clients a blessed holiday season.”

Marian and Robert Cummings, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of Paul Peperzak.

Chris Driskell, of Spokane, sent $100 and “thanks to the many volunteers who provide this wonderful service to our community.”

Craig Thielman, of Spokane, sent $100 in honor of Vince Tayon, “a good friend who helped me appreciate and respect the struggles of the less fortunate.”

Ann and Brian Torigoe-Hawkins, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Mitchell O’Connor, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Robin Sue Johnstone donated $96.80.*

Opportunity Presbyterian Church donated $89.98.

Jenny Guza, of Spokane, donated $75 in honor of her co-workers, Kimberlee Melcher and Mary Espinoza.

Michael, Christine and Patrick Carbery, of Spokane, donated $70 in memory of Dixie Lee Carbery and Mike S. Ladish — “our lives were blessed by your love and commitment to family.”

Lucille Wright, of Spokane, gave $50, as did Bill and Dorene Reynolds, Nancy MacKerrow, Mel and Joyce Holien, Robert and Patricia Harland, Betty Sweigart, and three anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Ivan and Aleen Smith, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of their friend, George Miller.

J. Patrick Byorth, of Billings, donated $50 in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Butler.

Cherie Foss, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of her dad, George Poston, Jr., and her mother, Ione Foss.

Mary Lou Downhour, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of her son, William E. Downhour.

Diane Veltri, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of Doug White.

The Viking Whist Club, of Spokane, sent $56 and an explanation: “A small group of us get together throughout the year and instead of prizes, we give to this fund to help bring joy to others.”

Gina Cox donated $48.25.*

The Christenson family, of Mead, donated $40, which included $10 from 10-year-old Kacey, and $5 from 12-year-old Tyler.

The Cromwell family, of Spokane gave $40 on behalf of their 3-year-old triplets, Matthew, Katie and Alex, and their great-grandma, Val Hulverson, of Butte. “Great Grandma Val sends us Christmas money to buy the kids Christmas gifts. This year we spent a portion of the money on gifts for our kids, and would like to donate a portion to honor Great Grandma Val and to teach our young children the importance of giving.”

Mary and Scott Cooper, of Spokane, donated $35, as did John and Christine Bjork, of Mead.

Samuel and Beverly Lynn McNary, of Spokane, donated $30, as did Charles and Rose Carver, of Medical Lake

Vickie Borer, of Spokane, gave $25, as did Roger and Pat French, Betty Dylina, Allen and Susan Hoover, Carl and Lorraine White and James and Valerie Lynch, all of Spokane; and Jean Brynildson and Joan Versteeg, both of Spokane Valley.

Marge Boyles, of Spokane, donated $25, as did an anonymous donor, of Cheney; and an anonymous donor, of Spokane. Luella Sisley, of Spokane, gave $25 in memory of C.A. Bruce.

A third-grade teacher sent $20.05, which was a gift from one of her students who asked her to donate it to the charity of her choice.

Alice Collitan, of Spokane, donated $5.

F. Walker, of Spokane, sent $2.