Christmas Fund 1995 Couple’s Gift A $10,000 Boost Fund Is Halfway To $380,000 With 5 Days Left

The message to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund was brief.

The gift was enormous!

“Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for the opportunity to give to others,” wrote Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear of Liberty Lake. “We pray God’s blessings for you all.”

Enclosed was a check for $10,000.

Sometimes, you have to pinch yourself to believe what you’re seeing.

That remarkable gift, written on an account labeled “God and Associates,” brought Sunday’s total to $15,939.50, for an ongoing balance of $188,993.

As exciting as the Puryears’ gift is, the reality is that the Christmas Fund might very well not meet its goal of $380,000.

We are only halfway there.

There are five days left, including today, before the Christmas Bureau closes.

And, the worst statistic of all - the Christmas Bureau has already spent more money on food vouchers and toys than the Christmas Fund has taken in.

We’re operating on faith here.

It’s not a comfortable feeling.

Faith is good - and we have faith the goal will be met - but it’s getting too close for comfort.

What happens if not enough money is raised? Who tells the children that Santa ran out of toys? Who stands at the Christmas Bureau door and says, “Sorry, we’re closed.”

If you can, won’t you please give today? Every penny counts.

When an employee for L&M Truck Sales Inc. read his company had donated to the Christmas Fund, he told his boss he wish he’d known, so he could have contributed too.

Sally Littell replied it wasn’t too late, and “he then set about getting donations from other employees.”

Littell’s letter arrived with $610 from 21 employees: Mike Wood, Mitch Bicandi, Charlyne Camargo, Barry Gillingham, Sue Wohlbrandt, Tom Shipton, Ron Jackson, Gary Kendall, Janet Darrah, Tracy Stevens, Levi Thomure, Dick Ball, Walt Fry, Wayne Gibson, Dale Gibson, Marie Ham, Mike Rose, John Tobler, Jerry Allen, Vic Littell and Ray Kittilstved.

Margaret K. Tombari gave $250 in memory of William A. Tombari Sr., “who always gave to the less fortunate.” Ron and Pat Anderson, 12620 E. 15th, also gave $250, as did Wayne and Celia Garceau, 5104 S. Perry.

Giving $200 were Inland Fastening Systems Inc., 2496 E. Trent; Betty and Fred Anderson, 2012 E. North Crescent, in memory of special friends Fran and Bob; and three anonymous givers.

Also contributing $200 was Assistants Inc., whose recording secretary wrote: “Our goals during the 34 years of our existence have been to inspire and promote the development of the arts, education and many civic endeavors in Spokane. Our highest and most-treasured goal has been to support the people of our community. It is with special caring and concern for Spokane’s families in need, that our 37 members lovingly make this donation.”

Dr. D.B. and Emily Wilsey, 1304 Ballou Road, gave $150, as did Helen Mitchell, 5021 N. A, in memory of her husband, C.L. Mitchell, “who always loved Christmas so.” An anonymous Nine Mile Falls donor gave $125.

Gifts of $100 came from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Klassen, 8509 E. Maringo Drive; Betty Littell, 3840 S. Bates Drive, in memory of her husband; Greg Schuster of Homestead Properties, 8205 N. Division, and his sons, Max and Sam; the doctors and staff at Elvidge Chiropractic Clinic, 15803 E. Sprague.

Other $100 contributions came from Mrs. Helen M. Turner, 2903 E. 25th; the Joe Kosteleckys, 22 E. Sinto; Harold, Heidi, Katie, Ben, Jacob and Ethan Clark, 7209 N. Fotheringham; Susan and Ken Raymovich ; Mark Jones, 4515 S. Willamette Court, “in loving memory of my wonderful wife, Doris Marie Jones, who made every day of my life as special a blessing as Christmas is.”

Frederick E. Clark, Chattaroy, gave $100, as did Douglas and Ora Eller, 5205 Northwest Blvd.; Ann and Norm English, 626 W. Holmberg Lane, in memory of Ann’s mother, Gladys Elsensohn; Bob and Darlene Cowdery, 1804 E. Garden; Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bendix, 3204 W. Princeton; and three anonymous donors.

Jack Weldon and Colleen Birchill, 3010 E. 13th, gave $77; Carl and Mary Larson, 5303 N. Argonne Lane, “rearranged the budget to be able to send an extra $25 this year. It is surely needed.” They gave $75, along with $50 from Carpenters Auxiliary 207. Northwest Power Tool and Hardware, 801 E. Trent, gave $70.

Donating $50 were Don and Loyce Lewis, 2637 S. Garfield Road; Helen Clark, Veradale; Thomas and Karen Towey, 4821 S. Bates Road; and Nina Trump, who wrote, “I remember when the Christmas Fund started. So wonderful that it has continued as the need never ends.”

Other $50 gifts came from Bob and Jane Schwartz, 5124 S. Sunward Drive; Theodore Czechowski, 334 E. 16th; Bill Myrhang, Coeur d’Alene; Denny and Mary Pier, 5810 S. Magnolia, in memory of Jerry Camp Sr.; Doris, Rosie, Lita and Ruth, “four very lucky ladies” who hope to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter; and two anonymous givers.

The Sandy Hill Garden Club gave $35; Wyeth, Ramsey and Kent Larson and Julie Goltz, 1110 E. 18th, gave $27.50. Donations of $25 came from William and Janet Hale, 4312 W. Excell; George and Ann LePard, 11416 E. 19th; Mary and Mel Schrader, 8507 N. Welpert Drive; Betty McCaughan, 4202 N. Cannon; and Charlotte Sullivan, 2929 S. Waterford Drive.

Other $25 gifts came from Patrick Colliton, 807 E. Walton; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Polizzi, Mead; Barb, Jim, Laura, Jennifer and Katie Ford, 12620 Fairview Road, “in loving memory of our brother/uncle Richard Ford, who loved this time of year.”

Joe and Reva Hughes, Deer Park, sent $25, as did George and Margie Berglund, 1630 W. Pinehill Road; Warren Butz, 2105 W. Mansfield Court; and Utaka Akiyama, 1603 E. Gordon.

Sending $20 were the McBanes, Liberty Lake; G. Rupert, 2703 N. Spotted Road; and the Lynches, 112 W. 22nd. Helen Nordby, 2211 W. Cleveland, gave $10.

, DataTimes