It’s easy to take electricity, three meals a day and the car we have to get us to and from work for granted. But imagine what life would be like without such things.

One family writes that its members once were homeless and slept in their vehicle to stay warm. They had no running water. Fortunately, the father found a job and their outlook improved.

They were able to buy a house but are now struggling to pay the bills that come with owning a home. They have asked the Salvation Army to lend a hand this Christmas.

Consider giving to the Santa’s Helper Fund. Proceeds go directly to the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and gifts to help families such as this one. Your donation will make a difference to someone who does not take being warm and happy for granted.

The following donors have heeded these calls for help and are bringing the Santa’s Helper Fund closer to its goal of $50,000 raised by the end of December.

Carl B. Brewer of Ashland, $100 in memory of Joan and Marge; Nicholas and Kaylee in Old Town, $50 in memory of their grandfathers Grampa Earl and Grampa Don; An anonymous donation of $1,000; Anonymous in Milford, $25; and Ada White of Frankfort, $15.

An anonymous gift from Bass Harbor; Shirley Robinson of Carmel, $10 in memory of grandson Joey Bray; Gerald Bourgoin of Winterport, $25; Sally Burgess and Chuck Bates, $100 in memory of friend Marilynn Catanzaro; and Patsy & Cherie in Brewer, $50 in memory of Sheldon Cote Sr.

Anonymous in Stonington, $25; A gift of $25 in memory of Dorothy Honey from her daughter Lee Honey of Veazie; Patricia and Barry Thibodeau of Millinocket, $25; and Nicholas & Laura Morse of Cherryfield, $25 in memory of grandfather Roland Morse.

The Fitzpatrick family in Houlton, $50 in memory of Anthony and Mary Fitzpatrick; Coldstream Studio in Enfield, $25; A gift of $50 in Emma’s memory from the Sheppard family; and Anonymous in Orono, $25.

A $50 donation from the Volunteer Circle of King’s Daughters in Brewer; Anonymous in Patten, $20; The UMaine Recreational Sports Department, $45; Phyllis and Ken Chambers of St. Albans, $50; and Anonymous in Carmel, $100.

Christina Diebold of Bangor, $25; Joanne and George Fraser of Brewer, $25; Thomas McLaughlin of Brewer, $50; Christina Graves of Dixmont, $25 in memory of Jimmy and Bob Knowles; and Lois and Bill Comeau of Old Town, $25.

Betty Nelson of Corinna, $20; Anonymous in Hampden, $100; A $25 donation in memory of Charles Rogers from his wife, Ella, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; Anonymous in Dover-Foxcroft, $50; and Juanita & Robert Bayer of Orono, $25.

Please send your donation 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.