Christmas Fund 2000 School’S Generosity Starts With Fifth-Grader Student’S Fund-Raiser Spreads To Other Classrooms

For the third straight year, Emily Blakely, a remarkable fifth-grade student at Colbert Elementary in the Mead School District, has organized a fund-raiser for The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, explaining to each of her classes just how the program works.

At Emily’s urging, the students in Mr. Hartvigsen’s class this year set a goal of $70, which was quickly passed, with donations eventually topping $149.

“The word spread across the hall to Mrs. Feryn’s fifth-grade class,” wrote Kathleen Blakely, Emily’s mom. They collected $71.40. “The excitement also reached the first graders in Mrs. Membrey’s class,” and they collected $42.96.

Altogether, these caring students made a gift of $263.76 for the Christmas Fund, which will help many other children their ages to have a wonderful Christmas.

Your thoughtfulness cannot be overstated.

Other contributions received for Thursday include:

Keith Orchard, Rathdrum, Idaho, who donated $80; Stanley and Jeanne Berger, 1704 S. Cedar, who gave $75, along with an anonymous donor. Another anonymous gift of $53 was received.

Gifts of $50 came from Gary Williamson, 8123 N. Marjorie Court; Tri and Keli Tran, 418 E. 16th; Victoria Redlin, and Louis Rukavina III, 1605 E. 20th; Virgil and Erma Taylor, Colbert, in honor of their three great-granddaughters, Raelene, Keely and Danielle; and Linsdey, Joe and Maggie, who wrote:

“The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each other’s burdens, easing others’ loads … with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. Please accept this gift in honor of our friendship. We love you Kylie, Tayler, Noah and Nicholas.”

James and Muriel Tuttle, 1209 E. Glencrest Drive, also gave $50, as did Jay and Janette Rudd; Brian and Mary Hirschkorn, 5902 W. Tomtom Court; Melba Sandberg, 9024 N. Country Homes Blvd.; and Paul and Melanie Delaney, “in honor of my mother-in-law, Jeanette Cunz, who always helps others to find a present under the tree at Christmas.”

Other $50 gifts came from Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edelblute, 13319 E. 10th; the Murphy family, 1514 E. 19th; Michael and Sandra Povich; the employees of Farmer-Stockman Insurance Service, 999 W. Riverside, as part of their office party; Brian and Ann Hawkins, 424 E. 21st; John and Whitney Sestero, 5208 S. Hogan Court; and James and Carolyn Thompson, Veradale.

Ron Jacobs, 5405 W. Woodside, gave $50, as did Carol and Brandon Kerr, 1101 S. Westcliff Place; Joan and John Hartung, 918 N. Calvin Road; Leona Harris, 427 W. 27th; Calvin Riemcke, Nine Mile Falls; Carolyn Takeuchi, 9521 N. Atlantic; and eight anonymous donors, including one who gave “in loving memory of our Dear Papa, whose spirit still lives on inside our hearts.”

Robert Mueller, 620 S. Woodruff Road, gave $40, as did Jan Liane, 4707 N. Hawthorne. Ernst and Rita Pickel gave $30.

Donations of $25 came from Rob Breidenbach of Spoke ‘N Sport Inc., 212 N. Division; Raymond Simonson, 5113 N. Washington; Gary and Kathryn Gemar, Liberty Lake; Fred and Sherilyn Redmon, 7327 N. Greta Court; Gary and Donna Smith, 11823 N. Madison; Vickie J. Borer, 2121 E. Upriver Drive; Aileene Bernardi, Kettle Falls, Wash.; Michael Jr. and Virginia Manion, 3407 E. Leisure Lane; Patrick and Laurie Ferrell, Mead; Ted and Louise Otto, Cheney; Gary and Donna Cowee, 1218 N. Warren; and Helen Bryson, 3327 W. Rockwell, who wrote:

“If it weren’t for oil, electric, gas, water, repair, snow-removal, and telephone bills, and a pound of hamburger now and then, I could send you more.”

Others giving $25 were Kathleen Collins, 1310 S. Ash; the Pearsons; Dede McKay, of Studio 7, N. 15405 Edencrest Drive; Robert and Rebecca Reid, 4117 W. Woodside; David, Danny and Leslie Foster, Greenacres; Glen and Lori Larson, 14322 E. Cataldo; Ruth and MacKay Miller, 1713 E. Morris, “in loving memory of a dear husband and father, Charles Miller, whom we lost this past year.”

There were also four anonymous donations of $25.

Robert and Margaret Larson, Veradale, donated $23.31.

Gifts of $20 came from Deborah Moore McClare, 2804 E. Nebraska; Orville Merklin, 3608 N. Atlantic, “in memory of my loving wife, Ann Merklin”; Melvin and Angeline Anderson, 4117 N. Walnut; Phyllis Hinkins, Wilbur, to honor the memory of a good friend, Alice Bell; Jeff Thrower; Doug Heyamoto, 1203 W. Riverside; Dennis and Linda Dickens; and two anonymous donations, one made “in memory of dear parents who are no longer with us.”

Hannah and Jack French saved their pennies for two months to donate $19.24. Thanks, Hannah and Jack.

Gifts of $10 came from Mary Eleanor and James Edwards, 28 E. Humboldt; the LaPoints, 1905 E. Center Road; and two anonymous donors. There were also two anonymous gifts of $5, and another of$4.