Christmas Fund 1995 Donor Remembers Hard Times As Child

Children. That’s who and what Christmas is all about. Children are foremost in the minds of those who give to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.

Julie Anderson, Nine Mile Falls, remembers a maimed doll she received for Christmas one year and sent $50 “to go to all the children who need a little gift from Santa this year.” She made her contribution in the names of her parents, John and Carol Hummer of Spokane. Anderson comes from a family of 12 children who once knew hard times.

“I remember standing in a parking lot in West Los Angeles waiting for Santa. He came in a big truck. The truck door opened and we were able to have one toy. I received a black Chatty Kathy with only one arm.

“I loved that doll.”

Any doll a little girl receives from the Christmas Bureau will be complete with all its limbs. And hopefully, each whole doll will be loved every bit as much as Anderson loved her crippled doll.

Another donation came earmarked to make Christmas a happy day for kids: Jerry and Dinah Gallo, Kettle Falls, sent $100 in memory of their children, Todd and Devonna.

“I pray other children will have a better Christmas because of your wonderful fund-raiser,” Dinah Gallo wrote. “May God bless your efforts.”

Other gifts received Monday to help low-income families enjoy the holidays came from Margaret and John Storer, 10302 N. Fleetwood, who gave $75 “in remembrance of our son, Bob Rogers”; Burton Pendleton Jr. and Shirley Pendleton, 3428 E. 13th, gave $75; there were anonymous gifts of $65 and $60.

Giving $50 was Connilee Golden, Ione, Wash.; RoseMary and Al Beckwith, Cheney, “in loving memory of our mom, Inez Watson”; Gail Johnson, 2114 E. 30th, in memory of Jerry Camp Sr.; R. Doyen, 4227 S. Hatch; Garnet and Don Dana, 2625 N. Vista Road, who wrote: “We don’t need many extras (in our late 70s) and this helps our spirits also.”

The ‘80 Skyhawks boys soccer team gave $50 rather than give presents to their coaches. The team’s gift was sent in their coaches’ names: Dan Jones, head coach; Lyle Hatcher, assistant coach; Dave Denton, manager; and Duffy Ready, trainer.

Other $50 donations came from Charles Butler and E.M. Proctor, 507 W. Knox; Alice Weigand, 26 E. 26th; James and Kathleen Smith, Spokane; Merle and Carol Switzer, 10506 N. Juanita Road; three anonymous gifts of $50, including one made in memory of Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Bruce.

Giving $40 were Gary L. Fiscus, Liberty Lake; Albert and June Gaultney, Chewelah; and Emil and Mary Gehrman, 13316 E. Cataldo. Sending $35 were Don and Frieda Pearson, 13224 E. Blossey; Clyde and Nettie Wright, 2317 E. 46th; Dawn L. Abernathy, 4004 W. Everett; and W.T. and Betty Jud, 1505 N. Mamer Road.

Dick and Judi Loomis sent $30 to “hopefully bring a smile to some young child this Christmas.”

Mr. and Mrs. Tony Williams, 5934 N. Buffalo, gave $30. They read about the Christmas Fund last year “with all the heart-filled stories about the good people in Spokane. I did not want this year’s fund to slip by without a contribution.”

Contributing $25 were Deanna Eppinger, 5206 W. Lyons; Dalton and Karen Jassman, 8522 N. Weipert Drive; Muriel Townsend, 2400 N. Wilbur Road; Gladys Peterson, 1618 E. Glass; Bob and Char Christenson, Mead; Grace and Keith Hamilton, 6116 N. Hartley; and the Zion Lutheran Church Women, Fairfield.

Other $25 gifts came from Loretta Thompson, 2303 S. Fawn Drive; Edith Meeker, 1308 W. 10th; Richard, Lola, Cody and Janelle Lile, 9305 E. Lindgren Road, in memory of Robert Houx; Margaret Hecla, 2504 W. Crown; Victoria Dunn, 1524 E. Crown; John B. Lynch, Spokane; Larry and Barbara Anderson, 1509 S. Maple; Ethel W. Rost, 5732 N. Bemis; Cliff and Vivian Hinrichs, 8900 S. Mullen Hill Road.

There were five anonymous $25 gifts including one from Pasco, and another from a family that wants to repay a kindness rendered years ago.

Giving $20 were Fred and Winifred Jones, 4112 N. Oak; James and Jean Supinger, Medical Lake; and anonymous, Post Falls. Contributing $15 were Edythe Woodworth, 1100 N. Superior; Hope Johnston, 132 W. Columbia; and anonymous donor, Spokane. Kellie and Leah Knowles, Veradale, sent $10, as did Jeffrey of 7324 S. Oak Road.

, DataTimes