Christmas Fund 2000 Friends Make Christmas Count Cominco American Donates $2,000 Toward A Special Day For Everyone

Friends - old and new - are a blessing, aren’t they?

There’s such a comfort level with old friends, based on the history you’ve built together. And there’s the excitement of entering a new friendship, finding out about each other. It takes both new and old friends to make life interesting.

That’s true with friends of The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, too. Some of us understand each other as only old friends can, but we also look forward to meeting new friends. We all know the need that exists as we join together to try to make Christmas a happier time for our needy neighbors - our unknown friends.

Cominco American Inc., 15918 E. Euclid, is an old corporate friend. Once again, the company has donated $2,000, with this note from C. Bruce DiLuzio, vice president of law and administration: “We thank you for providing the opportunity to help those in need at this time of year.”

That gift helped Monday’s receipts reach $16,305 for a total of $61,425.94.

The goal is $425,000, all of which will be used to buy toys for children and food vouchers for needy families. No administrative costs will be deducted from your gifts because everything connected with the Christmas Bureau - where the gifts and vouchers are distributed - happens thanks to dedicated volunteers. No one receives a salary. Rent must be paid this year, but The Spokesman-Review is covering that $5,000 cost.

Every child in every family receiving help from the Christmas Bureau will receive a toy - and that means thousands of toys. And every family will receive a food voucher, the amount depending on family size - and that means thousands of dollars.

Last year, 14,026 toys were given to that many children; and $289,308 in food vouchers helped 8,859 families enjoy a more festive Christmas dinner.

All those children and families have you, their unknown friends, to thank for those gifts. They are all very grateful.

Frederick Schunter, president and CEO of Inland Northwest Bank, 421 W. Riverside, wrote this note with his company’s gift: “…it is our pleasure to once again enclose our donation of $1,000 as `friends of the Christmas Fund.’ We feel that the meaningful work you are doing for the community is extremely important to our fellow neighbors who are experiencing hard times or have gone through adversity.”

Bill and Janice Houk, 1818 W. Francis, made a gift of $1,000 in memory of Uncle Gene Clark. There was an anonymous contribution of $600.

Steve Mumm, 3521 W. Horizon, contributed $500, as did Ron and Carol Gifford, 5922 S. Donora Drive; and Carole and Kari Anderson, 221 W. Alta Court, who wrote: “May this offering help to fill others’ hearts with the miracles of Christmas. Given in memory of my treasured son, Krist Anderson.”

Also giving $500 were Dave, Mary, Ryan, Elina and Kelly Larsen, 11720 N. Lincoln Court, along with Lee and Dean Windh, “To honor our father and grandfather who passed away on Nov. 27. Lloyd Windh was a kid at heart and loved Christmas, so the Christmas Fund will be a wonderful charity to honor him”

There was also an anonymous gift of $500.

A contribution of $400 came from Helen Brajcich, Doug, D.J. and Roo, Spokane, “in loving memory of our son and brother Scott. He loved Christmas more than any other time of year, so it’s a gift to us to remember our Christmas angel in this special way.”

James and Carolyn Craven, 4111 S. Napa, made a gift of $250, as did an anonymous donor.

Gifts of $200 came from Jerome Keller, 4710 W. Northwest Blvd.; Jaynie Hansen, 12914 E. 27th; David and Betty Johnston, 6301 E. Seventh; Angelo Momolite, 963 E. 10th; Phill Supita, Cheney; Bob and Gerry Conrad, 2007 N. Hemlock; and Helen and Carol Absalonson, 5511 N. D, given “in memory of Herman Schieble, who some 30 years ago gave our kids a Christmas to remember.”

Also giving $200 were Edward and Virginia English, 1014 E. 29th; an anonymous donor; and Lowell and Marion Sevrud, 12609 N. Fairwood Lane, who gave their annual contribution “in memory of our aunt, Helen Campbell. We hope this gift will help others as we remember a wonderful aunt who always gave of herself.”

An anonymous donor gave $165, which represents “half of my grocery store club card savings. The other half went to our food bank fund drive at work - two causes I heartily believe in.”

James and Carrie Clanton, Spokane, gave $150; Bev Massie, 5807 N. F, gave $125 “in memory of my loving husband, Alan.” There was an anonymous gift of $110.

Those donating $100 were:

Frank Franciscovich, 2118 E. Dunbar Lane; Earl Roberts, 3231 W. Boone; Kathy Kopczick, 9807 N. Farmdale; the Crabtree grandchildren: Jared, Alyssa, Jennifer and Ryan; and Robert and Connilee Golden, 1411 E. Houghton Court, who wrote, “We are so blessed and would like to share with others who are not as fortunate as we are. We have contributed for a number of years and consider it a privilege to be able to do so this year.”

Charles Way, 806 S. Blake Road, sent $100, with this note: “I send this in honor of my late wife who has been away from us for seven years, but her love of this season lives on. Thank you for giving me the chance every year to make the season special for me.”

Also contributing $100 were Marietta and Jerry Gilmore, Veradale, “in memory of Aunt Louise Shea and Aunt Iolanda Cannata, (both of whom died this year) and are missed by family and friends”; C. Peggy Gazette, Spokane; Michael, Sally and Hailey Poutiatine, Spokane; and Ada Blankenship, 1224 W. Riverside, “in memory of my dear daughter.”

Other $100 gifts were from Edna Gump, Mead; Joan Butcher, 2716 E. Rowan, in memory of Howard, Ralph and Jerry Butcher; Alexis and John Chasse, 4916 N. Sipple Road; Marilyn Hueber and Bruce Patterson, 620 W. Holmberg Lane; Morris and Lucille Slavens, 1927 W. Fairview; Alan and Marian Morrison, 4127 S. Latawah; and Joni and John Cooper , to “make this Christmas a little more merry for people who are in need.”

James and Norine Kent, Spokane, contributed $100, as did Robert and Robin Simpson, 4916 S. St. Andrews Lane; Jacquelyn and Don Day, Post Falls; Ray and Florence Leon, 5302 N. Millview Drive; Greg and Emily Milstead, 4110 E. 46th Court; Richard and Sharon Myers, 10706 N. Klamath Court; Charlotte Jones, 326 W. Glass; and Dorothy Skindlov, Spokane, who is a beloved, retired second-grade teacher, in memory of her husband, Bob.

Kathy and Michael Eaton, 2520 S. Magnolia, donated $100, as did Christine Moore, 4907 N. Whitehouse, who gave in the name of her parents, Allen and Susan Moore, Bothell, Wash., who “very charitably asked their children to donate money to a worthy cause in their name, rather than buying them Christmas gifts this year.”

There were five anonymous $100 donations, including one made “in loving memory of Vivien `Twit’ Young.”

Kathy and Michael Eaton, 2520 S. Magnolia, also gave $100, as did Trish and Tim Borg, Spokane, with this note from Trish: “This is my first year of donating to the S-R Christmas Fund. I feel such joy that this money is going to help others this holiday season.” Spoken like a true, new friend.