Gift is reminder of dad

Three-year-old Dustin Cadwalader and his 2-year-old brother, Marx, donated $20 to the Christmas Fund as a lesson in giving, but it’s more a way to keep the spirit of their father alive, according to their grandmother, Tammie Cadwalader, of Coeur d’Alene.

The boys’ dad, Rex Cadwalader, died in September 2004 while saving the life of a teenager.

“The family was on vacation, salmon fishing on the Cowlitz River,” said Tammie Cadwalader. “Rex was crossing the river to an island and his friend Eric was following him. Eric went down and Rex went back to get him. Rex got Eric to shore but then Rex drowned.”

She says her son was a generous man and she wants his sons to know that about him. She talked to them about giving to other children and helped them send the donation. “These two boys are gifts from God and I want them to learn about giving,” she said.

Generous donations, including a $7,201 gift from the employees and retirees of Jensen Distribution Services, of Spokane, brought the daily tally to $15,299 and the Christmas Fund total to $443,583.97.

“We are happy to donate $7,201 to those in need in our community. We wish for everyone a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years,” wrote chairman of the board and CEO Michael S. Jensen.

Following are the donors and their donations:

Jim and Elaine Gregerson, of Liberty Lake, donated $1,000.

Safway Supply Inc., of Spokane, gave $1,000. “We are pleased to donate on behalf of our customers,” wrote president Patrick Thomas. “We do this instead of mailing Christmas cards and gifts. We know that there are many people in need this holiday season and hope that this will make their Christmas brighter … all of us at Safway Supply, Inc., wish everyone a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.”

The employees of the Maintenance, Warehouse, Plant and Capitol Projects Departments of Spokane Public Schools donated $850. “We are grateful for the support of the citizens of Spokane for public education and we welcome this opportunity to give back to our community,” they wrote.

Susan Symington donated $485.20 through PayPal.

Celia Garceau, of Spokane, donated $250, as did an anonymous donor.

Bob Folsom, of Spokane, donated $250 in memory of his son, Randy J. Folsom. “Your fund makes it possible for us to bring a little joy to those in need in our community,” wrote Folsom.

Einar and Diane Larson, of Almira, Wash., donated $245.

Clark Hege, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Daniel Steinke, of Veradale; Diana and Edward Honodel, of Otis Orchards; Josephine and Fred Hare, of Spokane; and Betty and John Mertens, of Spokane Valley, in lieu of buying presents.

The students and owners of Sylvan Learning Centers of Spokane donated $144. “This annual event allows the students the opportunity to give back to the community in donating portions of their Sylvan tokens to the fund. Ray and Maggie Crawford, the owners, matched their donations,” wrote Director of Education Nicole Prestley.

Bill and Thelma Johnson, of Heron, Mont., donated $110.

Gini and Tom Burns, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “Our donation this year is in thankful appreciation for our son-in-law’s safe return from Iraq where he has served our country while flying medical evacuation missions as a helicopter pilot.”

Daniel Cole, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Madeline Kardong, Dave Barber, Dwayne and Rose Harney, Janet and Vincent Monaco, and Marvin and Helen Soehren, all of Spokane.

Don and Eleanor Limmer, of Liberty Lake, donated $100, as did Sharon Brazington, also of Liberty Lake; David and Susan Scott, of Veradale; an anonymous donor, of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, of Airway Heights.

Del Ladd, of Spokane, donated $100 in thanksgiving for her husband Donald’s recovery from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

Rollin and Gratia Hasness, of Loon Lake, Wash., donated $100 in honor of Terry and Paul Giordanella. Raymond and Patricia Mooney, of Deer Park, donated $100, as did Alfred Niemiec Jr., of Nine Mile Falls; Dianne Bongarts, Harvey and Mona Porter, W.M. Nielsen, Les and Edie Hunt, J.F. Cross, Jeffrey and Melody Weaver, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Mark Switzer sent $96.80 through PayPal. The staff at CPA Thomas M. Patrick’s office, of Spokane, donated $50 in lieu of gifts.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $42.

Mary, Meghan and Mike Palmer, of Spokane, donated $40.

Helen Rishel, of Spokane, sent $35, as did Elise Bozzo, of Veradale.

Pat Kingsbury, of Spokane, donated $30.

Karla and John Dahl, of Spokane, sent $25 in memory of their cousin Troy and in honor of Tyler and Jordan. “Thank you for helping other children,” they wrote.

Robert and Florence Kirk, of Spokane, gave $25, as did Michael and Rosemary Smith, Heather McFarland, Greg and Susan Rambo, and three anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Becky and David Dragoo, of Spokane, donated $25 in honor of their grandchildren, and another granddaughter, Abigail, due in February.

Larry and Gary Mix, of Spokane, donated $20, as did James and Char Hitter, of Liberty Lake.