With just two more weeks until Christmas, it seems there’s still a lot more to do to prepare for this most special holiday. If you haven’t done so already, would you please consider adding to your list a donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund? All money received will go directly to The Salvation Army, whose mission it is to help the needy, many of whom are our neighbors. So far, $12,833 has been raised toward our $50,000 goal.

Today we received donations from Dick Shaw, Bangor, $20; Patricia S. Bergey, Winterport, $100; Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Grindle, Penobscot, $25; Leila L. Pearson, Bangor, $50; Eva M. Price, Bangor, $50; Dan and Marcy Ouellette, Milford, $20; and Timothy and Jean Taylor, Northeast Harbor, $70.

Also contributing: Anonymous, Brewer, $100; in memory of Dalton Nightingale from his family, Garland, $25; C&N, Hermon, $500; Gail Wood, Bangor, $25; Andrew and Zachary Veilleux, Bangor, $50; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ford for Ashleigh Tennet, Brewer, $35; Gram and Gramp in memory of Michelle Susan Dunbar, Brewer, $25; Donald and Patricia Morin, Old Town, $25; in memory of granddaughter Kristy Gibbs by Gloria Cross, Brooks, $25; Dowe and Verna Eaton in memory of granddaughter Erin Dunham, Sunset, $50; and Dowe and Verna Eaton in memory of Sherry Spofford, Sunset, $50.

Donations also have been received from Madaline G. Leathers, Bangor, $25; Anonymous, Hampden, $50; Sharon Stevens, Eddington, $15; Richard Young, Milford, $10; Anonymous, Milford, $25; Paul Bunyan Chapter 12 Good Sam Club, Holden, $150; Carl and Irene Brown, Brooks, $50; Anonymous, Dixmont, $25; Doris M. Bates, Carroll Plantation, $25; Laura and Nicholas Morse, in memory of their grandfather Roland Morse, Cherryfield, $30; and Mrs. Lorraine Merritt in memory of my husband and daughter, Charles and Kathy, East Millinocket, $100.

Additional contributions came from: Anonymous, Blue Hill, $20; in loving memory of their grandson Timothy Jordan from his grandparents, Waltham, $25; Virginia A. Ritchie, Perry, $25; Marilyn R. Perry, Freedom, $100; Daniel B. Pinette, Millinocket, $25; Mrs. Ronald D. Goodwin, Millinocket, $25; the Smith family in loving memory of Earl G. Folster, Hampden, $25; in memory of Garry Spooner from Nancy Spooner, Amherst, $100; Clayton and Charlene Webb in memory of their nephew Rodney Bryant, Island Falls, $10; Marilyn Olmsted in memory of Vic Olmsted, St. Albans, $10; Shirley Robinson in memory of grandson Joey Bray, Bangor, $15; and Thelma Turner, Bangor, $50.

Donations may be sent to Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. Names and donation amounts will be published in the Santa’s Helper column daily. Donors who prefer to remain anonymous will be listed as such, followed by donation amounts. Thank you in advance for your generosity.