Cochrane & Co. gives $7,500 gift

Donations to the Christmas Fund pay for food vouchers and toys distributed at the Christmas Bureau. Donors have boosted the fund to $183,811 with $38,097 in new donations.

Following are the names of the donors and the amounts:

Cochrane & Co., of Spokane, donated $7,500. “Cochrane & Company is pleased to again participate in the Christmas Fund,” wrote President Tom Cochrane. “We are very fortunate to be headquartered in Spokane, and honored we can give to this worthy cause.”

Ken Roberts Investment Management Inc., of Spokane, gave $5,000. “We have participated in the past as donors to the Christmas Fund and we appreciate all the efforts you have made for our community. We are thankful for your efforts on behalf of those that need assistance, and we appreciate all the donors and volunteers of Spokane that work together to make our community a better place for all,” wrote donors Ken Roberts, Stacy Gourley, Lynn Fruin, Kathy Franklin, Sharon Roberts, Vinson Cai, Kevin Crawford, Deb Crawford, Heather Shea, Leslie Yates and Jeff Trudeau.

Consolidated Billing Services Inc., of Spokane, sent $4,000 and a note: “Please put this money toward helping those in need this holiday season,” wrote President and CEO Bill Ulrich. “Beginning in 2007, my company has re-directed money once spent on client holiday gifts to the Christmas Fund in an effort to assist those less fortunate. While I greatly appreciate each and every client, I hope they will agree that this money is put to a better use through the charitable donation. In the current economic climate, programs that support those less fortunate need community support.”

The Spokesman-Review Freebie Sale organizers donated $3,360.25, the proceeds from the recent sale.

The Inland Northwest employees of Allied Fire & Security donated $2,718.50 via PayPal. “Thank you for the privilege to give back to those in our community who are less fortunate,” wrote Terrill Hunt.

Mike and Virginia Berg, of Spokane, sent $1,700 and a note: “For years, we have been thanking God for the blessing of our grandchildren by donating to the Christmas Fund. Once again, we are giving thanks for Ava, Jesse, Wyatt, Nick, Luke, Meridith, Sophia, Sabina, Nicole, Lance, Julia, Dan, Brian, Trevor, Branden, Nina and Michael. Thank you for putting it all together. It is good to know that every dollar goes to help others in our community.”

Dr. and Mrs. Bill Bronson, of Spokane, donated $1,000, as did Phil and Judy Camp, also of Spokane.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $750.

An anonymous donor, of Hayden, sent $500.

Gail and Roberta Keeling, of Otis Orchards, gave $300 on behalf of their grandsons, Taylor Merkley, and Kolby and Ryan Keeling, “so others may also have a memorable holiday.”

The American Ex-P.O.W. Spokane Inland Empire Chapter sent $300 and a note: “We former prisoners of war are very thankful to be still here and able to give what we gathered from our comrades this year. Thank you for all you do for our community,” wrote Commander Jerry Glesson.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $300, “to remember Belle and the class of ’54.”

Esther Nelson, of Spokane, sent $250 “in gratitude for daily blessings and thanks to our community for the outpouring of love and care for the needy.”

Steve and Barbara Stoyanac, of Mead, sent $250.

The friends and family of Jared Ball sent $250 in honor of their friend, son and brother, and a note: “This is our fourth year of being able to come together and do something in memory of Jared. We are all truly blessed to have had Jared in our lives and we are so thankful to get to share with others in his honor. Merry Christmas.”

Allan Morrison, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Margaret Storer, Patty and Niles Selden, and an anonymous donor, also all of Spokane, Jim Higgins, of Cheney; Barry and Marilyn Rookey, of Nine Mile Falls; and an anonymous donor of Medical Lake.

Jean and Nelson Jalufka, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Kristina Thomsen. Betty Bos, of Spokane, sent $200 in memory of her husband. Dave and Sharon Robertson, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of their grandson, Austin McKenzie.

Joseph and Jan Kaley, of Chattaroy, sent $200 and a note: “Each year the economy seems to get worse, increasing the needs of the less fortunate. Thank you for providing an avenue where people in our community can help out.”

Marvin and Helen Soehren, of Spokane, sent $200 in memory of Marvin’s brother, Donald, who passed away this year.

Dick Shane, of Spokane, donated $158 in memory of Lucille Shane.

Charles and Ann Wood, of Spokane, sent $150, as did Dennis and Patricia Doyle, Nancy Edwards, John and Ann Foltz, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Alyson Paredes and family, of Spokane, gave $150 in honor of their twin cousins, Tom and Jerry Lynch, “who turned 50 this month and requested no gifts.”

Wilma Erfurths, of Spokane, donated $125, as did Julie Yahnke and Michael Rooth, of Spokane.

Scott and Connie Brunell, of Spangle, Wash., donated $100, as did Roy and Jackie Howerton, of Spokane Valley; Lee and Patricia Dunton, of Chewelah, Wash.; Jan Dare, of Coeur d’Alene; and Charmaine Tijssen, of Bayview, Idaho.

Mike and Lisa Sullivan, of Colbert, donated $100 in memory of Carol Riddle.

Joan and Don Morse, of Spokane Valley, gave $100, as did Ralph and Debra Prouty, Jack and Doris Primmer, Ray and Cleo Strange, Carol and Clifford Rankin, Ruby Niemeyer, Lisa Brewer, and Annette LaCombe, all of Spokane.

Earl Schoer, of Spokane, gave $100, as did John and Beverly Johnson, of Spokane Valley; Tom and Mary Anna Bryan, Gary and Jane Graham, Robin and Bob Simpson, Joe and Charri Doeleman, and six anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Patty Jenkins, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Steve D’Assisi.

Thomas and Susan Eastman, of Spokane Valley, gave $100 in honor of their beautiful grandchildren.

Jack Redinger, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of his daughter, “who was killed this year by an automobile.”

Sarah Wasicek, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “In 1990, I lost two dear friends 20 days apart. That year I donated $50 in their memories and challenged others to do the same. A few days later, one person answered that challenge. I married him in 1991, and from then on we donated $100 a year to your fund. This year I am alone again. Please accept the donation in memory of my beloved husband, Frank Wasicek, Jr. Your fund is the best way to help others. It is comforting to know that every dollar sent in goes directly to those who need it.”

Amie Malakowsky, of Newman Lake, Wash., gave $100 in memory of her husband, Hank, “who passed away this year. He loved making things for children at Christmas.”

The Original Spokane Sea Hawkers donated $100. “We wish everyone a joyous holiday season and we are glad we are able to help a little,” they wrote.

The Durkin, Dunning and Beal families, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Gerry Durkin.

Steve and Theresa Lamp, of Spokane, donated $100, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley.

Lois Mundel donated $96.80 via PayPal, as did Mark and Kyle Hoover.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $75 in honor of Carol Wysham, Mel Lindauer, Richard Bale, Larry Milsow and the staff at ShopKo Pharmacy South Hill. “With their help I am able to keep going and going. God bless all of you,” she wrote.

Bob, P.J., Pansy and Zachary George, of Spokane, donated $75.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $60.

Carol McNabb, of Coeur d’Alene, donated $50, as did Ray Kensok, and Richard and Edith Rains, all of Spokane Valley; William and Elfried Mullin, Mary Ann Darrow, Bruce and Frances Rogers, Larry and Sharyll Messinger, Jim and Jackie Vroman, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Dudley Mizoguchi, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of John Traynor. John Remund, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of Jean Remund.

Rita Dundas donated $48.25 via PayPal, in memory of Alan Vancurler.

Heather McFarland, of Spokane, donated $30.

Jannice Roberts, of Sandpoint, donated $25, as did John and Sharon Hopper, Glenis Brantley, Alan and Deanna Eppinger, Roseline Rogers, Frances Waddell, Phil Schumaker, and Eileen and Jeffrey Anderson, all of Spokane.

Douglas and Jane Salvadalena, of Veradale, gave $25, as did Mary and Charles Steen, of Liberty Lake; an anonymous donor, of Cheney; an anonymous donor, of Spokane; and two anonymous donors, of Spokane Valley.

Laurie Palmquist donated $23.97 via PayPal.

Robert Strupp, of Liberty Lake, donated $20, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane.

Eleanor Fichtenberg, of Spokane, gave $15 in memory of Dale Conboy.

Vicky B., of Spokane, donated $10 and challenged all “Costco” family to meet or beat the donation. Shay gave $5 and challenged all Bowdish students or parents to meet or beat the donation. Alisha gave $5 and challenged all University High or Central Valley students or parents to meet or beat the donation.

Seven-year-old Reagan Zbylski sent a donation along with a Crayon drawing of Santa and Rudolph. “I want to give $5 to help someone have a nice Christmas dinner,” Reagan wrote.

Louise and George Couper, of Spokane, donated in honor of their grandchildren, Jeremiah and Joseph Couper, and Deacon, Liam and Eden Henderson. The Coupers requested that the amount of their donation not be listed in the newspaper.