Christmas Fund Three Generous Donors Drop Off $10,000 Checks Fund Now Needs To Raise $18,000 A Day To Meet Goal

My goodness!

It’s nearly impossible to believe, but The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund received three $10,000 checks Wednesday.

Talk about your miracles.

Our magnificent donors are: ICM Asset Management, with a gift of $10,375.

Pardner Wynn, who donated $10,000.

Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear, who contributed their annual gift of $10,000.

More about each of these magnanimous Christmas Fund friends later in the column.

Their gifts, combined with the others received Wednesday, came to $43,864, for a year-to-date total of $230,649.95.

That leaves a little more than $194,000 to meet our goal of $425,000. And, need I remind you, there are precious few days before Christmas: 11 to be exact.

To make this wonderfully grand project of ours succeed, we must receive about $18,000 a day. That’s a huge order to fill. And the only ones who can fill it are all of you.

This is the time of the drive when one can’t help but get nervous. Banking on receiving daily receipts of $18,000 can cause nightmares.

Our “bills” continue to mount as the Christmas Bureau serves those in need.

In the first three days that the bureau’s been open, we’ve given $122,655 in food vouchers to 3,327 families.

A total of 1,725 toys and books were selected by parents Wednesday so each of their children will receive a gift to open on Christmas Day. So far, 4,988 toys have been given out.

You can see that we really do need your help. Time is growing short, but the need continues to climb.

With a check for $10,375, Jim Simmons, president of ICM Asset Management, 601 W. Main, wrote that the firm and its employees “join you in your commitment to providing food and toys for Spokane’s less fortunate families this holiday season… “The efforts of The SpokesmanReview Christmas Fund to make Christmas a magical time for every child in Spokane will not soon be forgotten. In fact, you are creating happy memories that will be relived in the minds of hundreds of children for years to come.”

Well said, Mr. Simmons. Those are such true words. The Christmas Fund truly has made a difference in its 56-year history. We receive letters from time to time from those who now give to the fund, having received its bounty years earlier. They say how the community turned what loomed as an empty Christmas into a day of joy.

We still have such a long way to go. Won’t you help?

Contributor Pardner Wynn of Spokane said he worries that the Christmas Fund will not meet its goal.

“To me, Christmas is such an integral part of being a kid, I wanted to do my part in helping make sure children here have a memorable one,” he said.

The annual $10,000 gift from Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear, Liberty Lake, arose out of tragedy. Their son, Brian, died at age 27, three days after Christmas 1996.

The couple wrote with their donation: “This time of year is a time to be extra thankful for blessings and to recount special memories. Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for giving us that opportunity.

“Our donation is in memory of our son, Brian, who is at home with the Lord.”

Others whose contributions were received for Wednesday’s count were: Two anonymous donors each sent gifts of $1,000.

Donations of $500 came from Mr. and Mrs. George Mitchell, 1209 E. Lyons; Victor and Lisa Paternoster, Spokane; longtime Christmas Fund friends Taylor Engineering Inc., Civil Design and Land Planning, 106 W. Mission; and an anonymous donor.

The Association of Retired Avista Employees contributed $368; there was an anonymous donation of $351, and another of $300.

Tudy and Dr. Larry Hatch, 1628 S. Farr Road, gave $250, as did an anonymous donor who wrote: “We are grateful for our many blessings and are pleased to be able to help others through your fund. We know all the money will be wisely spent.”

I love the message Paul Allison, 11315 E. 44th, wrote with his $200 gift: “A good paper (as our former logo went), but a great Christmas Fund.” Thanks.

Other $200 gifts came from Clarence and Margie Lenhart, Spokane; the Childs family, Spokane: John, Mary Ann, Colleen and Laurie; Fred Hanneman, Seattle, who contributed with “warmest Christmas greetings to my family in Spokane.” His gift was in the name of his sister, Betty Graybill of Hawthorne Manor, and his aunt, Marie Hanneman of Spokane.

The Belles and Bells, a handbell quartet, sent $200 with a note saying the group plays many Christmas concerts and donates its money to “worthy charities. We feel yours is exceptional in its scope.” There was also an anonymous gift of $200.

Mr. and Mrs. Fuhs, 5220 S. Perry, contributed $150, as did John and Zoe Foltz, 3908 E. Sumac Drive, with the note, “Blessed to share”; and an anonymous donor, who wished he or she could have added a few more zeros. We appreciate however many zeros you can give to the fund.

Marvin and Verna Winton, 7010 N. Normandie, are true Christmas Fund friends. In addition to their gift of $125, between the two of them, they have worked 28 seasons at the Christmas Bureau. There was an anonymous gift of $120.

Donations of $100 came from James and Arlene Cowan, 6019 N. Park View Lane; Mr. and Mrs. Thor Kiilsgaard, 4604 S. Napa; Ruth and Bob Jensen, 2808 S. Monroe; Erlene Manning, 6619 N. Stevens; Dan J., Diane and John Cadagan, 1702 S. Rocky Ridge Drive, “in memory of Dan and Jeanne Cadagan, who always loved to give. We miss them both.”

Rod and Anne Hartman, Coulee Dam, gave $100, as did Carol and Robert McNabb, Coeur d’Alene; Edna Reimers, 4003 W. Wellesley; Carl and Anna Rabe, Nine Mile Falls; Denise and Felix Mutschler, Cheney; and Samuel and Frederika Wetterhus, Colbert, “in memory of our son, Bob, who always delighted in Christmas and in children. He would be pleased to have his memory bless those less fortunate.”

Other $100 donors are Edward and Karla Carrillo, 8518 N. Northview Road; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dault, 4724 N. Howard; Jim and Shirley Pugh, Coeur d’Alene; Robert and June Tesch, 2016 W. Gordon; Larry and Geri Comstock, Colbert; members of the Maverick Sam Chapter of the Good Sam Club; Tom and Debbie Daniel, Nine Mile Falls; Bruce and Dianne Parsons, 107 E. Sumner.

It’s become a tradition for the employees of Geneva Ward of Sportsman Cafe Inc., 6410 N. Market, to pool their money to contribute $100 to the Christmas Fund in her name.

“Merry Christmas Geneva! Love, your employees.”

Tom and Marcia O’Leary, 1231 W. Bellwood Drive, gave $100, as did Mrs. V.M. Gengler, 3405 E. 16th; Karen and Douglas Macduff, 1521 E. Overbluff Road; the Domineys, 2310 E. 34th; and Norma and Judy Schmeer, in memory of their parents, Ray and Elsie Schmeer, and Lawrence and Sadie Lynch.

There were 11 anonymous donors of $100, including one each from the Washington communities of Almira, Chewelah and Ione.

One anonymous donor wrote: “We pray the goal will be reached so the needs can be met.” Another said, “Hopefully, this enclosure will help to make a brighter day.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: CHRISTMAS FUND Helping hand

To donate: Mail checks to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 516, Spokane, WA 99210; or deliver them to the Review Tower, 999 W. Riverside.

For those needing help: The Christmas Bureau in Ag Buildings A and B at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center will be open 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., weekdays through Dec. 22. Hours will be extended until 7 tonight. Bring identification, proof of residence and proof of every family member (such as medical coupons). STA Bus Route 94 will take you to the fairgrounds.