Garco donates $29,580 to fund

Local businesses continue to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with generous donations to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, among them Garco Construction, which provided a huge bump in the fund with a $29,580 donation.

Garco’s gift of $25,000 was combined with employee contributions and matching gifts. “Each year we match the contributions of our employees to this fund, as well as to any charity of their choice. This year our employees have contributed an additional $2,290. We are pleased to present our total contribution of $29,580 to help those individuals that need extra assistance this time of year,” wrote Garco president James Welsh, and vice presidents Frank Etter, Clancy Welsh and Hollis Barnett. “We thank The Spokesman-Review and all the volunteers that allow 100 percent of our contributions to help our less fortunate neighbors,” they wrote.

Donations of all amounts are welcome. Donations totaling $34,677 brought the fund to $375,613.68. The Christmas Fund pays for Christmas fixings that are distributed at the Christmas Bureau. Although the bureau closed for the season on Wednesday, donations are still needed to reach the goal of raising $485,000.

Volunteers gave vouchers totaling $284,410 to 9,827 needy families during the 12 days the bureau was open at the fairgrounds. They also distributed Christmas toys for 15,685 children. In all, the holiday charity provided a brighter Christmas for 31,157 people.

The bills for this community gift to its needy families need to be paid. Donations to the Christmas Fund will be accepted through Dec. 28. Donations will be reported daily through Christmas Day. Donations that arrive after Christmas will all be reported in the final story on Dec. 31. Donors who wish to remain anonymous should indicate their wishes in a note accompanying their checks.

Following are the donors and their donations:

An anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, sent $500.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $300.

The Sisters of Providence Rahamin Community, of Spokane, donated $250.

Doug, DJ and Roo Brajcich, of Spokane, donated $250 in memory of their son and brother, Scott, “who we miss dearly.”

Inez Engstrom, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of her husband, Les Engstrom, and her grandson, Jerry Littlemore Jr.

Wade and Kathleen Griffith, of Spokane, gave $200, as did an anonymous donor, of Valleyford, Wash., in memory of Devin Johnson. William and Nancy Henry, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of their parents, Bo and Mary Henry, and Robert and Marian Heglar.

Kenneth Graham, of Spokane, donated $150, as did Mark Terry, of Cheney; and an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley.

Thomas and Nancy Nelson, of Colbert, donated $125, as did Thomas and Elaine Pitzer, of Spokane.

The Empire Lumber Corporate office and its employees sent $100. “As the holidays close in on us, it is time to think of those less fortunate and to reach out to help them. Those of us in the forest products industry understand the difficult times. Empire Lumber would like to continue its tradition of forgoing its Christmas lunch for the 13th year, in order to help our neighbors,” they wrote. “Empire Lumber wishes to add a $100 donation to the wonderful spirit of sharing that our community exhibits.”

Al and Eadie Olsen, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Doctors Vickie and Peter Shields, Regina and Allen Edwards, Christopher Jorgensen, Lance and Joy Griffith, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Donald and Deborah Teeguarden, of Addy, Wash., gave $100, as did Kathy and Russell Mager, of Deer Park; June and John Archambeault, and an anonymous donor, all of Veradale; and Virginia Schneidmiller, of St. John, Wash.

Bernice and Dennis Nelson, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $100 in memory of their parents, Pete and Lillian Nelson, and Dorothy and Ken Bell.

Paul Ashley, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Mike, Gary, Maria and Ashley.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $50 and Merry Christmas greetings to Dave and Emily Gordon.

Kenneth and Kathleen Blanchard, of Spokane, sent $50, as did Eddy and Monica Nagashima, Richard and Mary Jo Dillingham, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Michael and Melinda Hirst, of Spokane, sent $50 and a note: “We want to thank you for the great work you do, not only during this season, but throughout the year. It takes longer than just these few weeks to provide a wonderful Christmas for so many people. We want to do our part. This donation is in honor of our four kids: John, Katie, Joe and Sam, and the newest addition to our family, John’s wife Tami.”

Al Ferrell and Stephanie Peterson, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of Jerry Ferrell.

Mary Pat Power donated $48.25 through PayPal.

Irving and Jeanine Kiehn, of Spokane, donated $40.

Mary and Mike Palmer, of Spokane, sent $35.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $30.

Angela Lalonde donated $28.83 through PayPal.

Christine Bieker and Theodore Stetzik, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Phil Schumaker, Marlene Frampton, William and Janet Hale, John and Judy Foster, Gail Kiser, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane; Walter and Margot Wilson, of Spokane Valley; and an anonymous donor, of Coeur d’Alene.

Two anonymous donors, both of Spokane, each gave $20.