Christmas Fund 1997 True Christmas Spirit Shines Through Letters Generous Givers Remember Needs Of Others

Two letters top this column of donors to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund - one from young parents and the other from a young entrepreneur, both of whom want to share with others.

“We’ve never donated to your cause before, but we thought this was the perfect year to start,” wrote John and Amy Lindsey. “We are very thankful this year because we became first-time parents.

“We couldn’t imagine our child not receiving anything at Christmas. Nor could we imagine other children not having anything under their Christmas tree.”

The Lindseys’ $20 gift was also made in memory of Wes Stone, “his spirit will forever live on.”

And now, the 11-year-old business partner who gave $10:

“My friend and I are having a wrapping business this year to raise money. I read about your fund in the paper and decided to donate some of my profits to your organization.

“I think it is very nice of you to think of others during the holidays and not take any of the profits.

“I hope you can use this money to buy a gift for someone in need. - Jamie Randall.”

The true spirit of Christmas certainly shines in those letters.

Other donors, equally filled with the Christmas spirit, on Thursday were:

Gordon Smith, 6002 S. Stone, gave $75; Tom and Mary Lacy, 3709 S. Alter Court, gave $60.

Gifts of $50 came from Heidi Cooper, Medical Lake; Bob, Patti, Jamie and John Wachter, Nine Mile Falls, in loving memory of their son, Michael, and as gifts for their mother and mother-in-law: “It pleases us to know this will make someone’s Christmas a little brighter.”

Susan Loucks, 2612 N. Pines, gave $50, as did the Catholic Association of Parish Ministers, a group of lay people who work in churches in the Spokane Catholic Diocese: “We know this annual fund drive helps those who need it most,” wrote Dan Montgomery, treasurer. “God bless!”

Other $50 gifts were from Scott and Nancy Stowell; Kenneth Blanchard, 714 E. Garland; Josephine and Jerry Prophet, Harrison, Idaho; Walt and Lorene Branca, 6008 E. Bigelow Gulch Road; Gary and Karen Enzler, Oakesdale; Margie and Andy Valdez, 4148 E. 38th; George and Barbara Stevens, 6801 N. Brenda Court.

Mark, Wendy, Ben and John Chelini, 4315 S. Miami, gave $50, saying, “We are so fortunate to be able to make Christmas merry for our little boys. I’m glad we can help to make this season a little merrier for a few others.”

Bruce McDavis of the Jundokan South Karate School, gave $50, “in appreciation of all the joy and effort the kids have brought to me and their parents this year.”

There were six anonymous gifts of $50, one from a young woman who decided to follow her parents’ example of sharing. She wrote: “We decided the best gifts we could give each other would be to help those in need.” She asked that her gift read: “Merry Christmas to Momma, Daddy, Baily & Rudy. I love you tons! (They’ll know who it is.)”

Allen and Susan Hoover, 3017 E. 13th, gave $40; Marquita Meyer, 1205 E. 18th, made her $30 contribution in honor of Ann Flatt, the staff secretary at Adams Elementary, secretary and clerk Alice Sidlow and custodians Steve, Lou and Glen.

Gifts of $25 came from Ralph, Virginia and Barbara Summers; Carol Takeuchi, 9521 N. Atlantic; Dan and Nettie Simonson, 2607 S. Manito Blvd., in memory of their uncle, Kent Simonson; Frances Price, Greenacres, in memory of Arthur Price; the Ray Howerton family, 3016 N. Park Road.

The Clearwaters and Aldrich families, Spokane, gave $25, as did Dalton and Karen Jassman, Spokane, in memory of Naomi Durkee; Harry E. Stimson, 1822 E. 34th; Ben and Cheryl Scheideman, 2628 W. Woodside; K.C. Larson, 2035 N. Crescent; and four anonymous donors.

Giving $20 were: Florence Rose Smith, Veradale; Hope Johnston, 132 W. Columbia; Chad Allen, 4 years old, and Aaron Allen, 2; Bernard F. Kelly, 5508 N. Monroe; and three anonymous donors.

The Hagan family, 2328 W. Euclid; and an anonymous donor each gave $15.

Gifts of $10 were from Jill Beth, Veradale; Oscar and Edna Reitmeier, Cheney. Annette and Barry Barfield, 609 W. 17th, gave $5 in honor of Cindy Reopelle.

, DataTimes