Donations near halfway mark

The Christmas Fund now stands at $255,348.59. The goal is to raise $525,000 for this year’s Christmas Bureau.

Anonymous donors gave $1,000.

The Delbert Spear family, of Spokane, gave $750 “in thanks for the many blessings in our lives and in memory of our parents, who taught us the joy of giving.”

Rex and Susan Fuller, of Spokane, gave $500. Other Spokane donors who gave $500: Stan and Kathryn Ross; Gilbert and Christi Smith; and Phil and Connie Pomeroy. Also giving $500: Linda and Wray Farmin Jr.; anonymous donors from Cheney, “in memory of all our loved ones”; and Karen and David Crouse, of Hauser.

Chris and Christine Ashenbrener, of Spokane, gave $300 “in honor of our grandchildren Anna and Evan Ashenbrener to bring joy and hope to others.” Craig and Pauline Soehren, of Spokane, also gave $300.

Anonymous donors from Spokane gave $250 “in appreciation for all the volunteers who help make this all possible.” Garrison and Carolyn Kurth, of Spokane, gave $250 “so that some children may experience some holiday cheer during these trying economic times.” An anonymous donor also gave $250.

Giving $200: an anonymous donor from Spokane; Joyce Stefanoff, of Spokane; and Wayne Bass and Kay Sharp, of Liberty Lake, “in appreciation of Robert and Mary Alice Jones’ generous gift in memory of Kay’s mother.”

Gayle Ray, of Chattaroy, gave $150 “in memory of my brother and cousin who recently passed away.” An anonymous donor from Valleyford gave $150 in memory of Devin Johnson.

“Five Friends Forever” gave $100 and wrote: “We look forward to the future knowing we have great friends who will be there with us no matter what.” Spoke ’N Sport, of Spokane, also gave $100, as did the Dance Center of Spokane.

Spokane residents who gave $100: Rhonda Krauss; Don and Vicki Gorder; Dana Besecker; and an anonymous donor. The Soles and Steen family gave $100, as did an anonymous family from Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Russell and Susanna Cornell, of Spokane Valley, gave $100. James and Helen Skindlov, of Spokane Valley, gave $100. And Susan Minicey, of Medical Lake, gave $100.

Spokane residents who gave $50: an anonymous donor; Mike and Cheryl Aleman; Nancy MacKerrow; Will and Edna Karjalahti; and Helen Casper. Ann Carey and Patty Rabel gave $50 in memory of their dad, Ken Rabel.

An anonymous donor from Spokane Valley gave $25. Pearl and Gerald Hansen, of Spokane Valley, gave $25 in memory of Michelle Hansen. An anonymous donor from Spokane also gave $25.

Shirley and Frank Scalise, of Spokane, gave $10.

An anonymous donor from Spokane gave $7.