Christmas Fund 1997 Children Remembered At Christmastime Woman Gives $8,000; Msc Comes Through Again

Gertrude Emery never had children of her own.

Still, she loved children. Her nieces and nephews. Her neighbor children.

She loved children enough to remember them in her will. Children unknown to her. Strangers.

Gertrude Emery contributed $8,267.13 to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.

This year, hundreds of children will have her to thank for the gift they unwrap on Christmas Day and for their extra-special Christmas dinner.

Her magnanimous contribution helped bring Friday’s total to $307,183.07 - still a long way from meeting the goal of $425,000.

On Friday, 983 people were served at the Christmas Bureau. So far this year, 6,007 individuals have been helped. That represents $207,694 in food vouchers, and 11,345 toys selected by parents for their children.

The Christmas Fund operates on faith. Faith that enough money will be donated to cover the expenses.

There is no backup contingency to cover the costs if the money doesn’t come in. There is no “Plan B.”

The bureau will also be open Monday and Tuesday next week.

If you can possibly help, now is the time.

Medical Service Corp., 3900 E. Sprague, has come through again for the Christmas Fund - as it always does.

A check for $3,000 arrived with a letter from Henry Keaton, MSC president, stating the gift is from the company and its employees.

“MSC is proud to make this contribution in honor of our employees who donate their time and expertise to many community organizations throughout the year.

“We are fortunate to be able to give something back to the community in which we have done business since 1933. Part of what makes Spokane such a special place is represented by the Christmas Fund - the desire to help our neighbors and reach out to those in need.”

McClintock & Turk Inc., Mechanical Contractors & Design Build, 516 N. Sycamore, and its employees, donated $1,000, “in the spirit of the holiday season,” wrote Russell Williams, president.

There was an anonymous gift of $1,000.

A donation of $750 was received from the law firm of Etter, McMahon & Lamberson, 421 W. Riverside; the employees of Anderson, Peretti and Co., CPAs, 708 N. Argonne, gave $575.

IBEX Construction Inc., 8119 N. Regal, and its employees gave $500, to “bring holiday joy and sparkling eyes to the families of our community,” wrote Karen Durkin, office manager.

The Road Runners Club made a gift of $300. There was an anonymous contribution of $282. Randy and Kathy Maurer, 2918 E. Tara Drive, gave $250, as did the employees of Moland Greeting Card Co., 2733 E. Providence.

Gifts of $200 came from Prudential Securities Inc., 601 W. Main; Ralph and Diana Davisson, Spokane; and Gary and Nancy Schimmels, 511 W. 24th.

The Thursday Lunch Bunch, a group of six women who obviously meet for lunch every Thursday, gave $150 rather than exchange gifts. There was an anonymous gift of $150, and another for $138.

Contributions of $100 came from Kathleen Mallery, Spokane; members of Trinity Court 51, Order of Amaranth; Anne and Rod Hartman, Coulee Dam; Karl, Peter and Nicolas Johnson, 3443 S. London Court; Maggie and Ray Crawford, Nine Mile Falls; Jim Maines; Pete and Ruth Clarke, 2704 W. Riverview Drive; and Beverly and Frank Noble, 808 W. Westmont Way, who gave “in memory of our sister Jane Moe who loved the holiday season. She will be missed very much by all the family.”

There were four anonymous gifts of $100.

Members of The Bishop’s Guild of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist gave $75, as did an anonymous donor.

Gifts of $50 came from Robert and Susan Anselmo, 3334 W. Bruce, in memory of Joseph and Elizabeth Anselmo; Joe and Doreen Fram, 5122 S. Glengrae Court; James J. Elsensohn, 101 E. Hawthorne Road; Lisa Peha, Almira.

William and Donna Vowels, Greenacres, gave $50, as did Donald and Eleanor Limmer, Liberty Lake; Jules and Loralee Pieroni, 3105 E. Angela; members of Soroptimist International of Spokane, given “from the heart of our group,” wrote Bonnie Blanton.

There were four anonymous donations of $50, one in memory of Jane Hedequist; and another “in memory of my daughter and husband.”

Tamara Holdren, 1920 W. Dean, gave $45 “In thanks to God for his goodness and in memory of special parents.” Eileen Quorn, Spokane, gave $40. Giving $35 was an anonymous donor, and Erika, 10, and Drew, 8, who wrote:

“Hi! We have donated before. We would like everyone to have a fun and delightful Christmas. No one should miss out at this time of year. We would like everyone to have a fun time. Merry Christmas.”

Out of the mouths of babes.

Betty Cole, 3306 W. Rosewood, gave $30. Giving $25 was Ethel Powell, 3107 E. 43nd; Susan and Roger Parent, Newman Lake; Helen Bechtold, 7722 N. Madison Court; John and Shirley Trimble, 6503 N. Greenwood Blvd.; B.L. Scheele, 3706 N. Weipert Drive; David and Gale DeRoshia, 6304 N. Royal Drive; Richard and Delores Solber, Greenacres; and two anonymous donors.

Gifts of $20 came from Lisa Tregellas, 4247 E. 36th; Dale and Rose Marie Rogers, Cheney; Colleen, Stephen, Cortney and Savannah Lippert, 2707 W. Gordon; Lillian McCullough, Hay, Wash.; and Sibyl Olsen, 2809 W. Mallon.

Nicole Yetter and Raylene Fowler wrote a letter on behalf of their fifth-grade class at Trent Elementary: “We would like to help support you in helping the needy with buying Christmas presents and with putting food on the table.

“We would like to donate $20 to help the needy.”

There was a second letter from Tyler Loessin and Jennifer Howard, students of Mrs. Schaefer’s class: “We at Trent feel that we can make a difference. Because Trent cares.

“We want to start something here and get other schools to start helping NOW!”

Gifts of $10 were from Alta Franz, Cheney; Carlyne Franks, 210 E. Lincoln Road; and one anonymous donor.

, DataTimes