Christmas Fund 1997 Season To Remember Those ‘More In Need’

Paula and Tom Clinch usually buy gifts for their 27 nieces and nephews, but this year, they donated $200 to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund instead.

“We felt there were other people who were more in need,” Paula wrote.

Both Paula and Tom are from large families - she with four siblings and he with eight.

After his father was killed when Tom was a child, his mother provided for the family by working as a nurse.

Paula and her brothers and sisters made do with hand-me-down clothes from other families. Their feet were kept dry on wet days with bread bags worn over their shoes.

“Because of our childhood experiences, we decided we would like to give something back to those who may be struggling during this blessed holiday,” Paula wrote.

The Clinches gift was dedicated to their parents, Tom and Margaret Clinch, and Bill and Alice Harvey: “It is they who taught us to be thankful for what we have and care for others who have less,” Paula wrote.

Others contributing to Monday’s receipts were:

The employees of Agrium U.S. Inc. and Cominco American, who gave $82. Gifts of $75 came from the Tim Turner Family, 2225 W. Houston; The Woman’s Club of Spokane, 1428 W. Ninth, to “keep the spirit of giving in Christmas.” An anonymous donor gave $75 in honor of Dr. Raymond Miller, Spokane Urology and the Rockwood Clinic. An anonymous donor gave $60.

Gifts of $50 were from Steve Laney and Sandra Overstreet Laney, 3315 E. 62nd; Cecile Lafountain, 10424 E. 24th; Mary Costich, Addy; Kathy Pfeifer, owner of Java Junction, “On behalf of customers who have taught me there’s no measure of value for a cup of coffee and a friend.”

Hap and Beverly Joplin, 2727 W. Weile, gave $50, “in memory of my father, Lt. Col. Charles B. Porter, who believed that Christmas and children go together. He wanted every child to have a share of the magic and have a personal relationship with Santa Claus. This is for you, Dad.”

Other $50 gifts came from James and Alice Shantler, Cheney; Gary and Lois Mundel, 628 E. Columbia; Bill Stewart, 418 W. 33rd, in memory of Albert and Anna Lindquist Olson; Gary and Vicki Stradley; Joan and William McKenzie, 3203 W. Cora; Sara Rowe, 2524 W. Houston; Rick Tobias, 7323 N. Dakota; Terry and Gail Reed, 4002 W. Broad; and Susan, Teresa, Rob, Carolyn, and Dixie Clark, Spokane.

“Grandma B,” Hayden Lake, gave $50 and wrote, “My many grandchildren will all have a good Christmas. I hope this will help grandchildren who aren’t so fortunate.”

Others giving $50 were M.L. Anderson; D.J. and Karen Merritt, 6816 E. 11th, to help put a smile on a child’s face Christmas morning; Jim and Lori Damron, Chattaroy, who “would like to make others happy.”

John W. Hartung, 918 N. Calvin Road, gave $50, as did Eileen Murphy, 9020 Country Homes Blvd.; Mary E. Ferrell, 4601 N. Madison; Walter Deil, 6203 N. Park View Lane; Thomas and Catherine Franklin, Loon Lake; the crew of The Sportsman Cafe and Lounge, 6410 N. Market, “in remembrance of Tom Nash.”

Kelli Krueger, owner of Wedding Belles, 5711 N. Division, sent $50 “in memory of my dear friend, Robert Seay.”

Krueger also wrote: “I almost didn’t mail my check due to the small dollar amount. However, I decided if all people like me skipped making a donation with the idea we wouldn’t make a difference did indeed make an effort of (giving) $5 or $20 or whatever, you would probably have attained your goal by now.”

You’re absolutely right, Kelli. There’s no such thing as a gift too small.

Other $50 gifts came from Maurice and Shirley Horlen, Liberty Lake; Mark and Marcy Majeski, 10202 N. Waikiki Road; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert Fritz, Greenacres; Mary and Howard York, E. 10407 Fifth; Grace Zentz, 5224 N. Hawthorne; Gene and Selma Hair, E. 12820 Sinto, “to share a token of the blessings” they received this year.

Ruedene and Bruce Chandler, Newport, gave $50, their second time to give this year, with this note: “‘Joy comes in the morning’ and must bring a smile on the face of a child and also to the parents.”

There were six anonymous gifts of $50, one in memory of Maria and Gary Ashley.

Giving $40 were Steve and Becky Elam, Post Falls; students in Homeroom 189 at Sacajawea Middle School, proceeds from their “penny drop - to help someone have a Happy Christmas.”

Other $40 gifts were from Janet Gilliam and family, in memory of Jay Gilliam; and one anonymous donor.

Susan Oliveri, 1915 E. 39th, gave $35; the Shadle Branch library staff, 2111 W. Wellesley, gave $34.

Connie Jay’s fifth grade class at Windsor Elementary in the Cheney School District gave $31.25.

North Coast Life, 1116 W. Riverside, gave $30, as did the D.R. Dickens Family, Spokane; John and Dorothy Tiffany, 11610 E. Maxwell; and two anonymous donators.

Giving $25 were Mary Sharpe, 924 E. Crown; R.E. and Ruth Ottmar, 9920 E. Empire, in memory of their daughter, Kelcie Ottmar; Norm and Lisa Talbott, Valleyford; Warren and Joni Omans, Otis Orchards; Margret and Henry Benson, Chattaroy.

Sherwood and Kathleen Anderson, 6806 N. G, gave $25, as did Claude Hire and Marianne Iwasa, 3911 S. Crestine; James and Mary Lou Wickwire, Seattle, in memory of their aunt, M. Frances Bellinger Connors, who died Dec. 14.

Other $25 gifts were from members of the Prairie Riders Saddle Club; Arlen and Charleene Ristuben, 2404 W. Rainier Court; Mr. and Mrs. Steve Alexander, Otis Orchards; Brian Kratz Klatt, Post Falls, “In memory of Grandma, Ada Kratz and Grandpa, Bob Klatt.”

Kellie and Kerry Olson, 1328 E. 19th, gave $25, as well as Marleen Veltri, Loon Lake; Don and Vicki Gorder, 1011 N. Comanche Drive; Mr. and Mrs. Bill Benge, 7052 N. G; Don and Joan Morse, 10310 E. Springfield; Cheryl and Mark Morrissey, 4320 W. Olympic; David, Johanne, Alayna and Amanda Vahala, 4510 E. 39th.

Russ Akerhielm and family, 3820 E. 11th, gave $25, with “It’s the right thing to do (the reason for the season).”

There were 11 anonymous gifts of $25, one in memory of the donor’s grandparents, John Scar and Hazel Wahlstrom; gifts of $20 came from Lorrie Foster and Brendan Cassida, Greenacres; Wilson and Marlyn Stuckless, 224 N. Calvin Road.

This wonderful letter with perfect spelling and penmanship arrived: “My name is Emily Blakley and I am 8 years old. I would like to donate $20.00 to your Christmas Fund. Merry Christmas.”

And another letter from the parents of Hannah, John and Sam Phelps, who saved pennies all year for the fund. Their $20 is given in memory of grandmother Mary Schrader, who died this year. “We miss her and remember her always, but especially during this season of love and joy.”

Charlotte Sullivan, 2929 S. Waterford Drive, gave $20; as did Inez Wood, Spokane; and two anonymous donors. Sharon and Rick Gustafson, 1331 S. Ferrall, gave $15.

Rolf and Vivienne Walling, 9314 N. Londale Drive, gave $18; gifts of $10 came from Leri and Nick Harper, Spokane; Barbara Hendrickson, 14717 E. Fourth, “in memory of my mother Louise Spies. She is never far from my thoughts.”

There was one anonymous donation of $5.

A friend of Sib and Chuck Gray of Medical Lake contributed to the Christmas Fund “in honor of their long friendship and love, and in memory of my husband’s recent death.”

And to the person who wrote that his or her $5 gift in memory of Cody Taylor was not acknowledged: Pour yourself an eggnog and look on Page B2 of the Dec. 9 paper. Sorry you missed it.

, DataTimes