Donations continue to flow into the Press Herald Toy Fund as the total raised this year inches closer to $200,000.
More than 1,100 donors have so far pitched in to keep the 74-year-old charity going and provide gifts to thousands of children in need.
HOW TO HELP
To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald, the Sun Journal and the Times Record unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
They include countless new supporters making first-time donations, as well as many faithful friends who are quick to write a check or make an online donation to help the children.
Few are quicker on the draw than Dottie Kelleher, whose donation in memory of her parents, Norma and Robert Foster, was once again among the first received this year. Kelleher is carrying forward the legacy of her parents, who also were faithful donors to the Toy Fund.
And few, if any, are as dedicated as the 12 children of Harry and Lois Carlin. They are known as “the 12 Cs” and donate each year in memory of their parents, who were themselves generous supporters. Harry Carlin was a farmer in Windham and referred to his children as his best crop, and for good reason. Some of the Cs volunteer with the Toy Fund, too.
Many of the familiar names that appear in the daily lists are not donors, but people who inspire donations year after year.
Dedications in the memory of longtime donors or volunteers with the Toy Fund are annual tributes to people who passed on their love of children and Christmas to family members and friends, people like Doris Cook, Henty Larou, James Wallace Jr., Jeanne Mayberry, Earle Eskilon and many more.
And some donations are made in honor of living people who inspired them to give, including Victoria Hugo-Vidal. The author of the Maine Millennial column in the Maine Sunday Telegram writes about the Toy Fund each year, which is inevitably followed by a flurry of donations in her honor.
It’s never too late to join the faithful friends of the Toy Fund. The names of donors and their dedications will continue to be published as they are received.
To make a donation online, go to pressherald.com/toy-fund.
Checks made out to the Portland Press Herald Toy Fund may be mailed to 295 Gannett Drive, South Portland ME 04106.
Names of donors are published in the Press Herald, the Sun Journal and the Times Record unless a donor wishes to remain anonymous.
TODAY’S DONATIONS:
(note: some donations include an additional amount to cover transaction fees)
Merry Christmas! Laurier Lauze $315.93
Anonymous $105.52
Happy Christmas to all $105.52
Merry Christmas! In memory of Annette, Richard Sr. & Richard Jr. Carbonneau $105.52
In memory of my Mom, Nancy Loeffel. Debby Maley $52.91
Taylor girls $200.00
In memory of Mom. Elena Schmidt $263.33
Anonymous $263.33
Anonymous $210.73
In loving memory of Connor Graham. You are loved and missed. Love, Mark, Andra and the girls. The Fillmore $105.52
Wayne Duffett $105.52
In memory of Judy Curran, Mom, Dad & Randy Mooers who all loved Christmas $50
In memory of Buckwheat, Cheetah-bop, Zeus, Crouton, Sammy, Pugsley and Murph the Surf $50
Happy Holidays! Wishes of peace, love, and joy for the New Year. $31.87
To the children who deserve something for Christmas. Debbie and Joe Foley $40
Anonymous $52.91
All who seek it find Peace & Joy in the Season. The Freams of Maine $31.87
Merry Christmas from Margo & Jim! $50
Patti Poole $105.52
TOTAL TO DATE: $174,667.07
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