Fund just $4,845 short of goal
Nearly 32,000 poor people are having a better Christmas today, thanks to the generosity of the community. The Christmas Bureau closed Wednesday after giving food vouchers for holiday dinners to 9,957 families and toys to 15,906 children. It’s all paid for by donors to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. Generous donors, led by Huppin’s Hi-Fi, Photo and Video/OneCall.com, of Spokane, gave $36,571.24, which brought the fund total to $480,155.21.
Huppin’s Hi-Fi, Photo and Video/OneCall.com brought a check for $11,084 to the newspaper on Friday. “In a year where we have all rallied our resources to support those suffering at the hand of natural disaster, we are especially thankful to The Spokesman-Review for providing this opportunity to directly aid those in need in our local community,” wrote company President Murray Huppin.
The Christmas Fund is still nearly $4,845 short of its goal of $485,000, the amount needed to pay the bills for the food vouchers and toys. Donations that arrive before Friday will go toward this year’s effort. While today’s story is the last of the daily reports on donors and their donations, the wrap-up of the Christmas Fund and the donations that arrive next week will be published on New Year’s Day.
Following are additional donors:
Acme Concrete Paving Inc., of Spokane, and its employees donated $5,075.
Premera Blue Cross, of Spokane, donated $5,000 on behalf of the company and its 400 Eastern Washington associates. “Premera is proud to annually support our community by contributing to the Christmas Fund. In making this contribution, we acknowledge the great work done by all of the volunteers to help the children around Spokane enjoy a brighter holiday season,” wrote M. Gail Keeling, vice president and general manager.
Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories, of Spokane, and its employees, donated $2,796. “The employees of PAML did a fund-raising event for the Christmas Fund. On Dec. 19-21, employees were allowed to dress down in casual attire as long as they made a donation to the fund. The company agreed to match any donations,” wrote Andrea Boures. “Please accept this donation from our employees in an effort to spread some cheer for those in our community who may be in need this holiday season.”
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $2,000.
The employees of Pacific Steel & Recycling, of Spokane, sent $1,500 and wishes for a merry Christmas.
Keith and Janie Slater, of Spokane, donated $1,074.20.
Wagstaff Inc., of Spokane, donated $1,000.
Bernardo Wills Architects, of Spokane, sent $780 and a note: “It is a privilege to be donating to this wonderful cause again. As in years past, we asked our employees what they would like to do for the company holiday gift exchange, and they agreed to donate the gift money to the Christmas Fund. We asked each person to decide upon their donation amount, and the company would match the employees. Thank you for providing such a wonderful opportunity to help others during this special time of the year.”
L&M Truck Sales Inc., of Spokane, donated $750 on behalf of the employees and in memory of company founders Marvin D. Littell and Lonnie Shaw. “We wish to thank The Spokesman-Review for your gracious effort during the holiday season and hope that this contribution makes the holiday season a little brighter for those in need,” they wrote.
Lonnie Crone, of Spokane, donated $500 in memory of his family – Art, Maxine, Denny, Cindy and Rob Crone, also Heidi, Lacy and Fergie Crone, and his friend of more than 40 years, Steve Bradley. “I hope that in some small way this can help others enjoy a Merry Christmas this year,” wrote Crone.
An anonymous donor also gave $500.
WhiteRunkle Associates, of Spokane, donated $405.
The employees of Lancer Ltd., and Prestige Travel, of Spokane, donated $318.
Gage and Kelly Stromberg, of Spokane, donated $250, as did Patricia and Arthur Fupham, of Liberty Lake.
The Kelly boys, of Spokane Valley, donated $200 in memory of their father, Bob Kelly. “This was his favorite charity. Thank you for the opportunity to help provide for the needy of Spokane,” they wrote.
Lorraine and Don Burghard, of Moses Lake, donated $150 in memory of their daughter, Vicki. Alicia Sullivan also donated $150.
Pete and Ruth Clarke, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Otto and Diana Schumacher, Jean Dalberg, Virginia Harger, Doug and Jan Jarrell, J.V. and Evie Johnson, Jess and Anne Walter, Dan Peterson, and three anonymous donors, all of Spokane.
The Spokane Mailers Union Local 14766 gave $100. Cami Halsey, of Liberty Lake, donated $100 in memory of Cunda Valley. David and Danielle Valley donated $100 in memory of Lynda Valley. Eileen and James Hargrove, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of George Hargrove.
John Miller and Sandra Nolting donated $56.
L.W. and Laura Isaak, of Loon Lake, Wash., donated $50, as did Dan Coyle and Val Smith, Jeff and Christine Stevens, Steven Mackenzie, Melba Valley, Lee Chaney, and Barrett Valley, all of Spokane.
Barbara and Bruce Carmack, of Rockford, Wash., donated $50, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley. Betty and Darrell Howry, of Spokane Valley, gave $50 in honor of their grandchildren, Devin, Stephanie, Kylae, Richard, Tyonne, Curtis, Travis and Kelsey.
Soroptimist International of Spokane gave $50.
Dick and Jan Vanderweil, of Spokane, donated $40.
Joe and Judy Van Houtan, of Spokane, donated $35 in memory of their son, Joseph A. Van Houtan, II.
Patricia Gunderson, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Gary and Jane Graham, of Spokane, and an anonymous donor.
Leah and Lincoln Welsh, of Spokane, sent $20, as did Ralph Walter, of Spokane, and Spencer and Austin Waagenaar.
The Price family, of Fairchild Air Force Base, donated $19 – $5 for each of the three children and $4 from the piggy banks of 9-year-old Nicholas and 4-year-old Alexander.
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $10 in memory of her mother and brothers.
Barbara Wallace, of Spokane, donated $10 in memory of Bunky Hendrickson and Louise Spies.
Ava and Alex Walter, of Spokane, donated $9.04 that they raised through the year doing chores and helping with yard sales.