The Santa’s Helper Fund is growing by leaps and bounds as Christmas nears, with a current total of $18,723. There is no cutoff date for donations. The Salvation Army will continue its work in helping those in need long after the Christmas season is over.

The annual Christmas party held by Corinne and Larry Van Peursem of Bangor always yields lots of goodies for Santa’s Helper. The tradition of asking guests to bring gifts for needy children instead of each other has branched out. Because of the example of the Van Peursems’ parties, other people are picking up the idea and giving parties in their respective communities, with toys and money going to shelters or the Salvation Army.

Corinne Van Peursem has been the driving force in the Toys for Tots collections for the Marine Corps Reserve, collecting toys and money at all the games at Alfond Arena at the University of Maine and at functions in other parts of the state. She will be on hand at the games at Alfond this Friday and Saturday evening, so if you have a toy to donate, look for Corinne or one of her volunteers.

Among those who donated at the Van Peursem Christmas party were, from Bangor, Fred and Laura Barry, Hilary Billings, Dorothy Blaisdell, Cesar and Kathleen Britos, Bud and Sue Bruns, Barbara Cardone, David and Susan Carlisle, Vicki Craig, Sandy Curwin, Carol Everett, Beth and Michael Gaige, Peter and Cynthia Geaghan, Rick Gilbert, Asa Honey, John and Lydia Johnston, Frank Jordan, Tammi and Greg Lunn, Marilyn MacLeod, Deb and Bob Marcoux.

Also from Bangor: Louis Martin, Robert McGarey, Dan and Nancy McKay, Stan and Marie McMillan, Joe McOscar, Alan and Donna Miller, Jen Mitchell, Tom Mulvy, Alan Neally, Braun Parks, Ingrid Perkins, Greg and Rachel Pooler, Ron Soucy, Lorna Turner, Shawn Walsh, and Robert and Lela Zoidas; from Hampden, Robin Pare, and Patty and Dick Roderick; from Brewer, Red and Maxine Barry, Rod and Margo Grant, Don and Trudy Tash; from Winterport, Linette and Norm Poirier, Theresa Hainer and Skip Howard; Karen Francour, Orono; and John and Jean Sauve, Southwest Harbor.

Others who have generously contributed to the Santa’s Helper Fund are:

First Congregational Church Homemakers Club, Brewer, $25; Bill, Joyce, Jeff and Louise Cook, in memory of Evelyn Cook, Ellsworth, $40; Colby Perkins, Raymond, in loving memory of his mother, Evelyn Cook, $79; Joel and Janet Froding, Winterport, $25; Elizabeth Chase, Brownville Junction, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Bemis, $10.

Anonymous, Old Town, $50; Harris and Judy Madson, East Holden, $25; Anonymous, Stonington, $20; Linwood and Jean Carville, Orono, $25; Anonymous, Bangor, $20; Courtney, George and Anne, $900.

If you would like to contribute, please mail your donation to Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor, ME 04402-1329.