Readers surpass last year’s donations

Inland Northwest newspaper readers and area business people have done it again.

Thanks to the generous donations of thousands of people, The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund raised $486,048.40 in its Thanksgiving-to-New Year’s drive, providing the fixings of Christmas for more than 9,000 needy families at the end of 2004.

While the fund fell short of its $500,000 goal, it still was $2,112 more than was raised in 2003. And the charities that partner with the newspaper to distribute the gifts and food vouchers to needy families are confident they will be able to pay the bills for the Christmas Bureau because 5 percent fewer families came to the bureau than were anticipated.

“We could not be more pleased with the outcome of this year’s Christmas Fund campaign,” said Spokesman-Review Editor Steven A. Smith. “At a time when our hearts and resources rightly turn to Southeast Asia, it’s heartening to know Inland Northwest residents also have taken care of their own during the holidays.

“The Spokesman-Review is proud to continue its association with the fund and with all of our partners and the many volunteers committed to this important community service,” Smith said.

Readers donated nearly half a million dollars over the past four weeks; the money is managed carefully by employees at Volunteers of America and Catholic Charities, who undertake the massive task of the two-week Christmas Bureau. Volunteers from the Salvation Army and throughout the community help keep the bureau running.

At the 2004 bureau, food vouchers worth $274,385 were given to 9,296 families. New toys and books were given to 15,210 children. In all, the bureau made the holidays brighter for 30,362 people.

The bureau closed Dec. 17, but donations to the fund continued to pour in. Between Christmas Day and Thursday, the day the fund closed for the year, $25,125.97 was received. All donations received after Dec. 30 will go toward the 2005 Christmas Fund and will be reported the day after Thanksgiving.

The following are the final donations and the donors (online donations, with service fees deducted, are indicated with an asterisk):

The employees at Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories in Spokane and throughout the state donated $3,387.92. “On Dec. 20-22, employees were allowed to dress down in casual attire as long as they made a donation to the Christmas Fund. The company agreed to match any donations raised by the employees,” wrote Andrea Boures.

The employees at Sacred Heart Medical Center and the Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, of Spokane, donated $2,500.

Haskins Steel Co., of Spokane, gave $2,000.

TransCanada, of Spokane, gave $1,500, as did Pearson Packaging Systems, of Spokane.

Donald Rockstrom, of Spokane, donated shares of stock that sold for $1,011.06.

The law offices of Douglas, Eden, Phillips, DeRuyter & Stanyer, of Spokane, gave $1,000.

DIVCON Inc., and the following employees, donated $1,000: Sean Drury, Scott Graves, Donald Hagreen, Chris Johnson, Jerry Johnson, Troy McGhee, John Miller, Shane Miller, Sue Miller, Erik Naccarato, Angela Steele and Homer Tollenaere. “Our employees give generously every year to help make the season brighter for others,” wrote company President John Miller. “They name the charity of their choice and DIVCON matches their individual donations.”

Larry Small and Gary Dahlke, of Spokane, donated $500.

David’s Pizza, of Spokane, sent $400. Employees collected a portion of their tips from every shift for two weeks. When the $200 goal was met, owner Mark Starr matched the donations.

David, Suzanne, Madeline, Perri and Isabel Greeley, of Spokane, donated $336.

Carolyn Clark, of Spokane, gave $300 “for others who have less.”

Patricia and Arthur Upham, of Liberty Lake, donated $250, as did Ibex Construction, of Spokane.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $230.

James Dillmann, of Deer Park, donated $200, as did Michael Leslie and David Barber, of Dupree Building Specialties, of Spokane; Danial Baker, of Spokane; Drs. Linda Muir and Gary F. Varrella, of Veradale; Mark Chapman and Cire Gray, of Deer Park; Bernard Habbestad, Ron and Nancy Deming, Judy Fitzpatrick, and Mark Wagner and family, all of Spokane

The Payne Financial Group, of Spokane, gave $175 in lieu of Christmas cards and gifts to their clients.

Josheph and Robin Braun, of Spokane, donated $150.

Ross Nesbitt donated $129.

Jim and Jackie Peirone, of Spokane, donated $125, as did E. Dawes and Mary Kay Eddy, of Spokane.

The Mediation Center of Spokane donated $100, as did Doug, Carol, Laurel and Cappy Spruance, of Spokane; Corliss Newman and John Bodinger, of Spokane; William Skylstad of Spokane; and Religious Science International, also of Spokane.

Jennifer Vasconcellos, of Spokane, gave $100 “with Christmas memories of her mom and dad.”

Bob Davis, of Spokane Valley, gave $100 in memory of Michael J. Rohrich. Dan Peterson donated $100, in honor of his colleagues at the WSU Foundation.

Marvin and Sandra King, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Alma Pearson, Jack and Mildred Smith, Steven and Rachel Socha, Bruce and Ann Dentler, Gary Selner, Stephen and Theresa Lamp, and Dennis and Carolyn McCanna, all of Spokane.

James Williams, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of Betty Ralls, of Riverview Retirement Center.

Leslie Whicker, of Spokane, donated $100, as did the employees of the Sportsman Café, of Spokane; Julyan Ent; Boehm’s Chocolates & Flowers, of Spokane; Judy Janett, of Royal City, Wash.; James and Helen Curtis, Paul and Nadine Larson, Brent and Janine Carlson, and Jack Hebner, all of Spokane.

An anonymous donor sent $100 in honor of their neighbors on Pinecrest Road.

Fire Specialties Co., of Spokane, donated $100.

Terry, Sherry Lynn, Jesse and Lynae Olsen, of Spangle, Wash.; sent $100 and a note: “Being unemployed for over seven months with no benefits or savings, it would be our sincere hope and prayers that this contribution would inspire others that may of not have given to give even if it hurts! In this season of giving, it would be absolutely a dream come true and our challenge to everyone to pay it forward and take this caring-sharing attitude and make it a year-round affair.”

The Moser family, of Otis Orchards, gave $100 in memory of Edwin and Irene Moser.

Five anonymous donors, all of Spokane, each sent $100, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, and an anonymous donor, of Spokane, in memory of Nils and Anna Knudsen.

Kathleen Adkison, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Tom and Jeri Bogley, of Nine Mile Falls; Marilyn and Al Morgan, of Seven Bays, Wash.; Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Blakesley, of Spokane Valley; and Roseanne Rohrer, of Chewelah, Wash.

Donna Sather, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of Art Sather.

The Empire Lumber Co. corporate office and its employees donated $100 instead of having a Christmas lunch. “Those of us in the forest products industry understand the difficult times,” they wrote. “Empire Lumber wishes to add this donation to the wonderful spirit of sharing our community exhibits.”

Jennifer Hermsmeyer donated $96.80.*

Russ Nobbs, of Spokane, sent $84 and a note: “This is in memory of Gene Grindal, a long-time resident of East 13th Avenue, who passed away Thanksgiving morning. For the last 10 years or more, Gene had the habit of sending ‘his age’ to your fund. One of his last things he did was to send $84 this year.”

Lane Klees, of Spokane, gave $50, as did Chris and Jeff Stevens, John Miller and Sandra Nolting, John Maxwell, and Kit and Karen Sherfey, all of Spokane; Delbert Spear, of Medical Lake; Debbie Dahl of Spokane; and A.V. Hastings, of Deer Park.

Jill Beth, of Spokane Valley, sent $50, as did Melissa Anderson Hanley, Jim Bingham, Jim Camden, and Dan Coyle, all of Spokane; Rand and Beverly Masteller, of Davenport, Wash.; Pat Long, of Spokane; Merle and Grace Wellington, of Spokane Valley, Dorothy Huott, of Spokane; and five anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Norma MacArthur, of Poulsbo, Wash., donated $50 in memory of the Mellick family. An anonymous donor, of Mead, gave $50, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley.

Sherri Murphy, of Spokane, donated $40, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, of Colbert.

William Lapoint, of Spokane, donated $35, as did Jack and Eva Bishop.

Laura Isaak, of Loon Lake, Wash., sent $30.

Christopher Simmons gave $28.83.*

Lois and Bob Banta, of Mead, donated $25, as did Edwin Winkey, of Spangle, Wash.; Larry and Joyce Phillips, of Spokane; Glenn Gannon, of Greenacres; Harvey and Mona Porter, Franklin Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center, Warren Schutz, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Kerry and Chris, of Spokane, sent $20 and a note: “When we asked our mom what she wanted for Christmas, she was very clear that she didn’t want another thing. We chewed it over and decided the Christmas Fund was the best way to go. This way, Mom’s gift can help someone who really needs it.”

Steve Duvall, of Spokane, brought $20 to the newspaper. Two anonymous donors, of Spokane, sent $20, as did an anonymous donor, of Liberty Lake.

Adam Olp gave $19.12, as did Chris Ericksen and Jason Munn.*

John and Nora Allen, of Spokane, donated $15, as did an anonymous donor, of Greenacres.

Alice Lockhert, of Spokane, gave $10, as did Vivian McMullen, also of Spokane; and Betty Albright.

Thanks to all the contributors for your generosity. And happy New Year!