Christmas Fund 1995 Defuse Holiday Stress With A Laugh And A Gift Donations Can Spread Smiles To Both Giver, Recipient

There’s nothing quite like a smile or a chuckle to relieve stress. And where better than the desk of The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund to relieve stress?

Len and Clare Randall, 136 E. Rockwood, created a smile with the letter accompanying their gift of $400, given in honor of their sons and families: Gary and Sharon and their children, Joe and Marjie; and Clay and Carol and their children, Katey and Jamie - “and last, but not least,” Katey and Jamie’s pet pig, Howie.

Howie, it seems, was fond of rooting around a neighbor’s flower garden by the light of the silvery moon, searching for midnight snacks of tasty bulbs.

One story has it that Howie has been retired to a pet farm, the Randalls wrote. Another version, however, is that Howie’s in hog heaven, “where neighbors just love to rise early every morning and replant their flower gardens.”

The Christmas Fund is all about spreading smiles on Christmas Day - and why not a few along the way?

The Randalls’ donation helped bring Friday’s total to $4,535, which makes a running sum of $23,426.81.

To keep things in perspective: A goal of $380,000 has been set with 23 days left to raise that amount to make sure every low-income family receives a food voucher to help with Christmas groceries, and that every child in each family has a gift to open Christmas morning.

Another essence of Christmas is sharing.

Raymond and Lois Hanson, 2031 S. Parkwood Circle, are sharing their gifts this year with the Christmas Fund and another charity especially meaningful to them.

The Hansons’ $1,000 contribution to the Christmas Fund will have an enormous impact on several families seeking help.

The Hansons signed their card to include their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Before the calendar gets much deeper into the Christmas season, why not take stock of all the little ones you are sharing with this year - children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews - and then imagine someone else their age without parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles who are able to share much of anything with them.

Put your little people into the shoes of their poorer peers and share some of your gifts with them.

Don’t let the fact that you don’t know them stand in the way. They will be every bit as appreciative as if you were a blood relative instead of a stranger.

Remember whatever you give to the Christmas Fund will be used only to buy toys for children and food vouchers to help their families have a more festive holiday dinner.

Nothing is retained for overhead expenses. Nothing.

The newspaper collects the money for the three non-profit agencies - the Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America - that operate the Christmas Bureau. Volunteers, enrolled by the three agencies, take applications and distribute the vouchers and gifts at the bureau there from Dec. 11-22.

The Christmas Fund simply uses the Christmas spirit as its guiding force. If you can help spread that spirit to our neighbors who worry about their children at what should be a time of joy, please do so. Your money will help ensure that Christmas will be a happy day for everyone.

The $500 gift of Bernie and Sue Bernard, Liberty Lake, will certainly warm many children and their families with the holiday spirit.

Those giving $200 included an anonymous donor; Jack Redinger, 12402 N. Division; and Suzanne and Mike Jackson, Twin Lakes Village, Idaho, in memory of Suzanne’s parents, both of whom recently died.

Ted and Rae Blomquist, 2024 S. Parkwood Circle, brought in $125. Those sharing gifts of $100 were Raymond and Leticia Bunch, 3305 W. Wellesley, “in loving memory of our sons Christopher and Vincent”; Katherine M. Simmons, 2917 S. Howard; Richard S. Adams, 2104 E. 36th; Al, Tom and Joe of Domini Sandwiches, 703 W. Sprague.

Other $100 gifts came from Dezso Nagyfy, 2625 E. 29th; Clifford and Judie Hoekema, 4727 N. Elgin; Patrick and Leeanne Shannon, Colville; L.F. Schacherl, 422 E. 38th; Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Burns, 312 Hastings Road; Glen and Lorraine Lanterman, Otis Orchards; two anonymous givers and Jim and Elaine Peplinski, Spokane Valley, with: “We are happy to help your very worthy cause.”

Pat Flowers, Deer Park, sent $60 “to be used where needed most.” Giving $50 were Marcella Y. Gunter, 10924 E. 22nd, in loving memory of her parents, Bill and Rose Lavigne; Anna Waldron, 703 W. 23rd; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Deno, 204 S. Fiske; and two anonymous donors.

Nels Huus, 1801 E. Upriver Drive, and Ellen Hargreaves, 2929 S. Waterford Drive, each sent $30. Those contributing $25 were Blanche A. Harrison, 2321 E. Rowan; Bob and LaVon Montelius, 11218 N. Stevens; Mark and Kay Kalous, Medical Lake; Juel Stears, 6533 N. Fotheringham; Patricia Hempleman, 1321 E. Greenleaf Drive; Kenneth and Martha Swanson, Opportunity; Biff and Virginia Williams, 3911 S. Inland Empire Way; and one anonymous person.

George L. McClain, 1814 W. Maxwell, sent $20; and Marlin Erb, E11402 29th, and an anonymous giver each sent $10.

, DataTimes