Waiting can be frustrating and when amplified by the stresses accompanying the holiday season, it can seem downright unacceptable. This is evidenced in shopping places everywhere.

There are other places where the waiting may become almost painful. Those places are homeless shelters, food pantries or someone’s modest home.

Many people writing letters to The Salvation Army lament over waiting for a paycheck or a job. Most families are looking forward to the day they will be able to give rather than receive. One family writes that the father has been laid off from work and is waiting for an unemployment check to arrive in the mail. But he is afraid that it will be too little too late to provide much for his family to have a merry Christmas.

Take this opportunity to help someone who has fallen on bad times and ease the burdens facing families in these situations. Consider a gift to the Santa’s Helper Fund – the proceeds of which go directly to The Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and gifts to the needy.

The following contributors have pushed us past 50 percent of our $50,000 goal. Join us in recognizing them.

The employees at ZF Lemforder Corp., proceeds of their Christmas party raffle, $359; Thelma Weymouth of Abbott Village, several baby dolls with handmade dresses; Dorothy Criscuolo of Brewer, 16 handcrafted sweaters; Room 17 at Hermon Middle School, $30.

Robert and Jerusha Reynolds of Brewer, $100; Janet T. Cunningham of Sangerville, $20 in memory of husband John I. Cunningham whose favorite charity was The Salvation Army; Laurence and Yvonne Hartford of Dexter, $25 in memory of Kathi Frautten.

Agnes Bishop of Old Town, $25 in memory of husband Wilson Bishop; Anonymous in Brownville, $200 in lieu of gifts to Andrew, Karen, Ernest and Kristine; Joyce Cooper Thibodeau, $50 in loving memory of Bob Cooper and Bobby Thibodeau.

Anonymous in Millinocket, $50; Stuart and Betty Brackett of Bangor, $25; Jean and Steve Mesteller of Brooksville, $25; Heart of Maine Chorus Sweet Adelines International, $100.

Anonymous in Pembroke, $25 in memory of June G. Reavey and Harriett M. Kilby; Janice A. Barr of Medway, $35 in beloved memory of husband Benjamin Barr Sr. and nephew George “Caleb” Williams; Anonymous in Dennysville, $20.

Ralph and Nancy Gildred of Bangor, $25 in memory of Richard W. Grace Sr., Ralph E. Gildred Jr. and Virginia G. Gildred.

Ed and Regina Thomas of Bangor, $50; Robert F. Tuthill of Brooks, $25; Anonymous in Orono, $100 in memory of Dads Clem and Matt – two men who knew how to keep Christmas. Thank you.

Send donations 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.

There are many donations arriving daily, and it may take up to three days to recognize a contribution.