It continues to be so heartwarming to see the outpouring of support for the Santa’s Helper Fund. With today’s mail, another $2,280.93 in donations arrived, bringing our total to $35,911.28. These, and all future contributions to the fund, will be used by The Salvation Army to bring Christmas joy into the hearts and homes of many families this coming week.

Today we received a donation from Taylor Flagg of Milford for $10.65. Taylor’s mom writes:

“Dear Santa’s Helper, Please accept this donation from Taylor (age 8). She has saved her own allowance and has decided to donate it rather than buy things for herself. In her own words, “That’s what Christmas is about, Mom.” Thank you. Taylor’s Mom.”

The Women of the Office of Budget and Business Services at the University of Maine also write, “We’ve all decided to forego exchanging gifts amongst ourselves this holiday season in favor of contributing to the Bangor Daily News’ Santa’s Helper Fund. Please accept our donation of $100 in support of a needy family.”

Other donations have arrived from: Andrea, her sister Pam, and her mom, Becky Foster, Veazie, $25; Bangor Christian School 8th grade, Bangor, $77.28; Harold Crosby, Bangor, in memory of his parents Beatrice and Harold Crosby Sr., $25; Anonymous, Millinocket, $50; and Anonymous, Cherryfield, $25.

Also contributing are Modern Screenprint Inc., Bangor, $100; Leona T. Brown, Lincoln, $25; Leland Berry, Holden, in memory of his brother, Raymond Berry, $25; Missy Harris, Old Town, in memory of her father Joe Clark and in honor of her mother Betty Clark, $25; Jim and Joan Glans, Bangor, in memory of their parents Carl and Lorena Glans and John and Mary Clough, $25; and Richard and Barbara Hamblen, Seal Harbor, $50.

Gifts also were received from Ella Rogers in loving memory of Charles, Searsport, $25; Gertrude E. Romine, Old Town, in memory of my husband, Kenneth Romaine, $20; Gertrude E. Romine, Old Town, in memory of a good friend, Robert M. Clennon, $20; Mr. and Mrs. Donald King, Glenburn, in memory of Angela Hallahan, $50; Susan Knowles, Sherman Station, $100; Betty and LeRoy Leach, Lakeville, in loving memory of their brother-in-law, Charles Worster, and niece, Sheila Payne, $20; and Grace Hesseltine, Milford, in loving memory of her husband, Gordon, $25.

Also contributing to the Santa’s Helper Fund are James and Patricia Labree, Bradley, $100; Frank and Lill Hodgdon, Bernard, $25; Avery and Estelle Chipman for their children and great-grandchildren – Tim, Tammi, John, Lisa, Mike, Steve, Joshua, Crystal, Scotty, Jedd, Landan, Shelby, Serena, Dakota, Mackenzie, Jessica, Joshua, Amanda, Jacob, Birch Harbor, $25; and Lisa Troppman, Clifton, in loving memory of her brother Brandon Troppman, $25.

Rounding out today’s donations are: Anonymous, Orrington, $500; Anonymous, Brewer, $50; Mary W. James, Northeast Harbor, $50; Jim and Connie Lynch in memory of Dick and Anne, Holden, $100; from Ashley and her Grammy and Grampy in loving memory of Grandpa Haskell, Stonington, $20; Will and Carole Philbrook, Millinocket, in memory of their parents, Rita Mattall and Bill and Marjorie Philbrook, $250; Frances Turner, Monson, in memory of Herbert G. Hanson, $25; Mary and Ashley, Ellsworth, $25; Paine, Lynch, and Harris P.A., Bangor, $250; in memory of Maurice Peasley, Brooksville, $3; and Muriel Flaherty, Machias, $10.

Thank you all for your kindness and generosity. 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.