Foundry gives $30,000 boost

Travis Pattern & Foundry Inc., a consistently generous donor to the Christmas Fund, has again chosen to support the holiday charity in a big way. The Spokane business donated $30,000, which boosted the fund to more than $349,000.

“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 $30,000. 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 2008.”

The Travis Pattern & Foundry donation and a generous gift from Teck Cominco American Inc. brought the daily tally to $57,368.

Teck Cominco American Inc., of Spokane, and its employees donated $10,000. “At this time of the year when ‘want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices,’ your work truly fulfills the Christmas spirit. Thank you for allowing us to be a small part of a wonderful tradition,” wrote David Godlewski, vice president for environmental and public affairs.

The Christmas Fund goal is $485,000. With four days remaining for the Christmas Bureau operation at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, it appears the need is greater than anticipated.

The number of families going to the bureau to get help with their Christmas celebrations is running about 5 percent higher than last year.

Monday, volunteers at the bureau gave grocery store vouchers totaling $20,505 to 731 families and 1,002 children were given toys.

The charity depends on donations from a generous community. Donations of all amounts are welcome. Following are additional donations and their donors (online donations are subject to a 3.2 percent PayPal fee):

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $5,000 and a note: “Every year we feel so blessed in so many ways. Your work at the Christmas Bureau allows us to share these blessings with others. May you all have a merry Christmas, and God bless you.”

David and Janelle Bertsch, and Roy and Dawn Thompson, of Champion Equipment Leasing in Hauser, Idaho, donated $1,540.

The West-Tollett Group at Smith Barney, of Spokane, donated $1,500. “This is a small token of our appreciation for our clients, both new and old. The Christmas Fund provides such a wonderful service to those who need in our community. We thank and applaud the tireless volunteers for all their hard work and willingness to lend a hand to such a worthwhile cause,” wrote Kevin West, Amelia O’Brien, Matt Tollett and Penny Dillon.

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Bronson, of Spokane Valley, donated $1,000.

John and Janet Peterson, of Spokane, donated $500, as did Spokane Production Service Inc., and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.

Donna Hares, of Spokane, sent $500 in memory of Donald W. Hares.

William and Patty Houff, of Spokane, donated $300, as did Joanna and Larry Kiewert, of Deer Park.

David Crouse, of Hauser, Idaho, donated $250, as did Dan and Peggy Jeremiah, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane Valley. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $250 and her thanks to all of the volunteers at the Christmas Bureau, “who help brighten the Christmas season for so many.”

Al and Gerrie Schlosser, of Spokane Valley, donated $200, as did Russell and Kathy Mager, of Deer Park; an anonymous donor, of Nine Mile Falls; and another anonymous donor, of Spokane. Barry Bergau, of Spokane, sent $200 in the name of Debbie and Terry Montgomery.

Van Nguyen and Ba T. Phan, of Spokane Valley, donated $100, as did Melvin and Darlene Griffith, John and Miriam Finnegan, the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Veterans Association, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

The Preston family, of Spokane, donated $150, as did Stephen Scott, also of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, of Mead.

Friends and family of Jared Ball donated $150 in his memory.

Darla Malone, of Hayden, Idaho, sent $150 in honor of her mom, Maxine Malone, and in memory of her dad, Richard Malone.

The Spokane SeaHawkers sent $150 and a note: “We are a local club and all year we do fundraisers so that at Christmas we can donate to local charities. This is our 22nd year and we are affiliated with the SeaHawkers Booster Club in Seattle. We appreciate all that you do for our area and wish everyone a very merry Christmas.”

Amy Ballard, of Spokane, sent $75 in honor of Chelsea Ballard and $75 in honor of Jason Ballard. “Once upon a time I was a single mom looking for help one Christmas. The Christmas Bureau was there for me. I swore one day I would give back. Today is a good start,” she wrote.

Ken Burtch donated $145.35 via PayPal, as did Tim and Darlene Holliday, of Spokane.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $125.

An anonymous donor, of Veradale, sent $110.

Delene Christian, of Spokane, donated $100 “in memory of Gramps, Mark K. Hollenback, who never hesitated to help others.”

Gary and Mary Anne Solberg, of Spokane, sent $100 in honor of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $100 in honor of Lisa and Garth Mason.

Donald Perry donated $96.80 via PayPal, as did Sheryl Anthony, of Colbert.

Barry Benoit, of Hauser, Idaho, donated $50, as did Virginia Anderson, and the Vasquez family, all of Spokane Valley; Wayne and Nancy Wright, of Spokane; Alan Hastings, of Deer Park; Mark Johnson, of Nine Mile Falls; four anonymous donors, all of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, of Nine Mile Falls.

Harold and Colene Hakes, of Spangle, Wash., donated $50 in memory of Papa Eberly. Phyllis Eide, of Spokane, sent $50 in honor of her mother, Jacqueline Eide, of Odessa, Wash., “who has been a long-time supporter of the fund.”

Al and Vicki Falkner, of Spokane, gave $50 in appreciation of Carol Speltz.

Ray, Liz, Lauren and Kiley Schatz, of Spokane, sent $44 in memory of their sister and aunt, Karen Schatz Dunning, who would have been 44 years old this year.

The Zion Lutheran Church Women, of Fairfield, Wash., donated $40.

Mary and Scott Cooper, of Spokane, sent $35 on behalf of their two boys, “who really don’t need one more toy.”

Curt and Mary Jo Lorenz, of Chattaroy, donated $30, as did Gary Fiscus, of Liberty Lake; and an anonymous donor, of Odessa, Wash.

Fran Mann, of Liberty Lake, donated $25, as did Jeannie Greene, Walter and Bergit Morbeck, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane. Jay, Debbie, Zack and Jenna Humphrey, of Spokane, gave $25 in memory of Vera Romero.

Dianne Payne, of Spokane, sent $25 and a note: “About 20 years ago in Mt. Vernon, Wash., I heard a knock on my door and it was a good person with a big turkey and toys for my girls. I was filled with wonder, amazement and joy for his thoughtfulness. So I know how my small gift will be a step in the right direction.”