Reading the letters to The Salvation Army and the Santa’s Helper Fund, one can draw similarities among the tough situations facing people in our area. A common problem seems to be that there are not enough funds remaining at the end of a month, after paying the bills, to buy gifts for the children.

One family writes that they were able to afford gifts in the past, but since moving to a new home, they are financially strapped. The mother is attending school in an effort to get a solid job in the future, but still must rely on food stamps and other governmental assistance to get by. A donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund will assist families in such tight situations by providing gifts and basic necessities this holiday season. Consider lending someone a helping hand, and join the many contributors to the Santa’s Helper Fund.

These are Santa’s recent donors: Jack Gifford of Bangor, $25 in memory of Cindy Crain; unknown contributor, $10; Anonymous in Bangor, $100 in memory of the Christmas Fairy, Arlyne; and Harold Crosby Jr. of Bangor, $25.

Virginia Sayko of Orrington, $10; Stella Foster and Lorraine Hilton give $20 in memory of mother and grandmother Louise Curtis, a lifetime member of The Salvation Army; Stella Foster and Lorraine Hilton, $20 in memory of husband and father Joseph Foster.

William Hubble of Levant, $20; Betty Trask of Winterport, $20 in memory of Paul “Bumpie” Trask; Beverly Everbeck of Searsport, $25 in memory of her husband of 531/2 years, Frederick H. Everbeck, who passed away last year.

John and Charlene Bunker of Medway, $25 in loving memory of Lily and Otho Stanley; Grace Hesseltine of Milford, $25; Woodrow and Margaret MacDonald of Millinocket, $25; Marshall Darling of Camden, $50.

Kent Ward of Winterport, $25; Frederick Overlook of Carmel, $25; Good Sam Chapter 29 The Katahdin No Knots, $75; Lamont and Debbie Ouellette and family in East Millinocket, $50.

A $10 donation in memory of Arnold Worster from wife Roberta, kids and grandkids; $10 in memory of Stuart and Lorraine Worster; Marty and Candice Bendick, $50; Don and Patty Morin of Old Town, $25.

The Svendsen family of Bangor, $100; employees of the Bangor Mall Mail Boxes Etc., $50; Anonymous in Alton, $25; Philip and Clara Taylor of Old Town, $25.

Sally Swallow of Brewer, $20 in memory of her brother George M. Landry; Pittis family of Bangor, $50 in memory of “Darby” and Aunt Deb; Williams family of Lamoine, $50.

Anonymous in Holden, $200; Sandra and Robert Fitts of Brewer, $25; Polly and Jerry McKay of Brewer, $20; Donald Davis of Guilford, $25; Dick and Winnie Elderkin of Parkman, $25 in memory of their son, Butch Elderkin.

Missy Harris of Old Town, $25 in memory of her father, Joe Clark; Anonymous in Sebec Village, $50; Anonymous in Hampden, $30; AFSA Chapter 152 c/o Joseph C. Rump, $25.

Virginia and Leonard Ritchie of Perry, $25; Maxine and Henry Hunter of Macwahoc, $15 in memory of her mother, Ferne Pratt Jones.

Help us reach our fund-raising goal of collecting $50,000 in the next 25 days. Send contributions to the Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. All contributors will be recognized in the NEWS unless anonymity is requested.