This weekend probably will be a busy one for most people. Last-minute shopping to do, parties to attend, gifts to wrap, mistletoe to hang and holiday food to prepare. As you’re checking your list twice, would you please consider adding to it a donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund? Many needy families in our immediate area will be counting on assistance from The Salvation Army this coming week, and the money they receive through the Santa’s Helper Fund enables them to do this.

Today, donations arrived from: Anonymous, Bangor, $50; T.A. Ward, no town given, $50; Adam Delano, Derric Delano, Chelsea Kronholm, Marissa Rossignol and Apryl Cote, Medway, $25; Zachary, Libbi, Kasey and Lingley, Orrington, $25; Richard McLaughlin, Machias, $20; AMVETS Post 9, Old Town, $25; Dianne Donovan, Holden, $50; Betty and Frank Fowler in memory of their son, Jeffrey Babson Fowler, Brooksville, $25; Anonymous, in memory of Madolin Brown and Retta Baker, Millinocket, $50; and Ebeemee Snowmobile Club in Brownville Junction, in memory of Gordon Lockhart and Bernice Stone, $100.

Also contributing to the fund: Anonymous, Orono, $25; Paul and Polly Burgess, Hampden, $50; Gloria Westhrin and fourth-graders at Glenburn Elementary School, Glenburn, $55; Irene Sprague, Bangor, $100; Anonymous, Ellsworth, $100; Marvin and Joan Crocker, Lincoln, $25; Leslie F. White Jr., Southwest Harbor, $50; Ralph and Jackie Dunbar, Brewer, $25; in loving memory of Irene Bradford from her niece Andrea Thurlow, Atkinson, $50; and in memory of Grampie Carey by Brian, Linda, Patrick and Megan Carey, E. Millinocket, $30.

Gifts also arrived from Thelma P. Bowden, Orrington, $5; Jane F. Warker, Castine, $100; Maine Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, no town given, $100; Dortha Brouty Grey, Bucksport, $20; Anonymous, Hampden, $50; Office of Student Records at UMaine from Mary, Gina, Jan, Alison, Roberta, Linda, Joan, Kathy, Denice, Doreen, Bonnie, Karen, Peter and Ronnie, Orono, $75; and Penobscot Bay Power Squadron, Hampden, $257.

Contributions also arrived from Galen Thompson, Lincoln, $50; in memory of Reyford Lane of Winter Harbor and Keith Edwards of Island Falls, Franklin, $50; Greg and Janie Lander, Monson, $25; Kenneth F. Miltner, Brooksville, $25; Marjorie and Robert L. Downing Jr. in memory of their son, Lance Downing, Etna, $25; Joe Lavoie, Bradley, $50; in loving memory of Polly Collier of Bar Harbor from Mom and Dad, Abbott, $50; and in loving memory of Jeffrey Magoon, no town given, $20.

Total donations bring our total to date to $37,643.28.

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.