Christmas Fund 8-Year-Old Sets Generous Tone

It’s incredible how insightful young children can be. They don’t get enough credit for their understanding of how things work. Eight-yearold Jack Thornton is a vivid example. He laboriously printed a letter with his gift of $25 to The SpokesmanReview Christmas Fund:

“Dear Spokesman Review, We hope this money helps people have a good X-mas this year. We talked about what it might be like to not get toys for X-mas. And we feel greatful that we can donate this money to the people who need it. (From) Jack Thornton, 8, and Lily Thornton, 1.”

Thank you, Jack. You’re a good boy, and you and your little sister have made many children happy.

Thanks to you, they won’t have to go without a toy this Christmas. That would be awful, wouldn’t it?

Another heart-warming explanation as to the importance of contributing to the fund came from Maureen Reilly of Spokane Consultants in Family Living, 1623 W. Gardner:

“We are a small family therapy center and Open Adoption Services in Spokane. For 14 years, we have had a gift exchange between the seven people working the agency. We have been blessed over the years with great friendships and shared commitment to children and family building. I cannot think of better gifts to give my fellow workers than to donate in their names to the very worthwhile Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund.

“I have enclosed a check for $70 on behalf of Kathy Seely, Nancy Johnson, Mary Jo Reynolds, Anne Marie Holmes, Diana Cerna and Cindi Witzel.”

What a special way to remember one’s friends. Thank you.

Others helping Wednesday’s total reach $43,864, for a sum so far of $230,649.94, were:

Mary Nasfell and Douglas Witham, both of Moscow, contributed $75, as did an anonymous donor who wrote: “I shall pray every day that your needs will be met.” Thank you.

Gifts of $50 came from Warren Christianson, 2614 E. Heroy, in memory of his parents and brother; Lorna Stevenson, 2615 E. Foxwood Drive; Ben and Eileen Fawcett, 1423 W. Ardmore Drive; Linda and Michael Thompson, Veradale; Laurence Bolks, 12912 E. 12th; Ruth and Alfred Swanson, Elk; and Shonnie Rautio, 1213 E. Lyons, in memory of her husband, Henry.

Barbara Babb, Rosalia, gave $50, as did Delores Harrah, 8621 N. Scott Road; Mary Lou and Howard York, 10407 E. Fifth; Jeff and Chris Stevens, 3402 N. Milton; Susan Ellingson, in memory of her brother, Jim Aker, who was a longtime volunteer at the Christmas Bureau; and Margaret Taylor, 12606 E. Willow Crest Lane, “in memory of my sister, Dorothy Knechtel, who we lost in June. She was a faithful giver to the Christmas Fund.”

In the best Tiny Tim tradition, Wilbur and Elna Anne Paulson, Rosalia, contributed $50 with: “May God bless everyone.”

Other $50 gifts came from Robert and Susan Anselmo, 7017 N. Belt, in memory of Joseph and Elizabeth Anselmo; Gary and Judy Spangelo, Cheney; and Donna and Anthony Pardini, Priest Lake, Idaho.

There were five anonymous $50 donations, including one made “in honor of great-grandchildren Justin, Jenni and Jon, and Lauren.”

David and Karen Chicha, 9903 N. Ridgecrest Drive, gave $40, as did an anonymous donor who wrote: “God has blessed me in so many ways, and I would like to pass these blessings on.”

Joe Fram and Doreen Barrett, 5122 S. Glengrae Court, made a gift of $34. Cathi Lundberg, 3257 W. Monticello Place, contributed $30, writing: “To you who work so hard to bring joy to the children, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Donations of $25 came from Sherwood and Kathleen Anderson, 6806 N. G; Shirley Nelsen, Sandpoint; Bill and Eileen Berge, 7052 N. G; William Moldovan, 3033 W. Eloika; John and Sharon Hopper, 10806 N. Morrison Road; Muriel Townsend, Veradale; Karl and Clara Danner, 2028 W. Grace; and John and Joy Obde, 2351 N. Crestline.

Gail Kiser, 1807 W. Kiernan, contributed $25, as did Juel and Betty Stears, 6533 N. Fotheringham; Bette Lowell, Spokane, in memory of her husband, Robert, and her son Steven; Carol Taylor, Moscow; and Barbara and G. Jeffrey Larsen, 6114 S. Madelia, “in remembrance of our mothers - Fyrne H. Rometch and Beth Larsen - both of whom left us last holiday season. It is always such a pleasure to be able to support the Christmas Fund.”

Other gifts of $25 came from Warren and Gladys Elmquist, 2841 W. Lyone; Jean Nielsen, 302 E. Wedgewood, in memory of her son, Terry, and his family; Dan and Mary Ann Bond, 2717 W. Courtland; and Leslie and Harry Rendle Jr., 4442 S. Sunny Creek Circle.

There were nine anonymous $25 gifts. Those contributing $20 were Lois Hughes, 2015 W. 10th; Helen Lowry, 3231 W. Boone; Mr. and Mrs. Mike Zentz, 5224 N. Hawthorne; Konny Thompson, 322 W. Mansfield; Marjorie and Ronald Green, 924 E. 37th; Steve and Nadine Leavitt, Warden, Wash; Rolf and Vivienne Walling, 9314 N. Londale Drive; and Jane Tarbert, 7878 N. Wilding Drive, who has six grandchildren, “but I still want to help in a small way every year I can.”

There were three anonymous gifts of $20. Gifts of $10 came from Margaret and Vincent Orlicky, 5703 N. Driscoll Blvd.; Edna and Oscar Reitmeier, Cheney; Vincent Retzel, 12514 E. 12th; Cecil and Norma Jean Loveland, 636 E. Magnesium Road; Alan and Carolyn Fisher, Cheney; and an anonymous donor, an 84-year-old woman who lives on a $485 Social Security check.

An anonymous donation of $6 came with this note: “Thank you for having this Christmas Fund for families and everyone. Merry Christmas to all. God bless you.”