Donations to the Santa’s Helper Fund began to arrive Tuesday morning. Several individuals and groups have reached out early and their gifts are truly appreciated.

Early contributions came from Thelma Turner, Bangor, $50; Marilyn Olmsted in memory of Vic Olmsted, St. Albans, $10; Larry and Hilda in memory of Mike and Kate, Holden, $75; Anonymous, Calais, $10; Joseph E. LeMay Jr, Bangor, $25; Raymond H. Goodrich Jr., Hudson, $100; Mary Ann Buck, Stillwater, $25; Elise and Sabrina Jordan, Stillwater, $10 and Doris Bates, Carroll Plantation, $25.

Also donating to the Fund were Alfred and Betty Dow in memory of their son, Terry Dow, Levant, $25; Milford Congregational Church Men’s Club, Milford, $100; Donald Davis, Guilford, $25; Lucille F. Cardin in memory of her parents, Lloyd and Eva Farley of Castine, Veazie, $25; Anonymous, Milford, $50; Kathryn Bourgoin, Orono, $30; Arthur M. Jones Jr., Bangor, $100; Morgan and Connor Wiercinski, Bangor, $25; Steven Giles, Plymouth, $100; and anonymous (no town given), $26. This brings today’s total to $836.

Applications for assistance received by Maj. Debbie Burr of the Salvation Army once again point out the extreme need many of our friends and neighbors find themselves in as the holidays approach. Here are some excerpts:

“I am on a very fixed income with no money to buy Christmas presents unless I don’t pay a bill or buy food. What I do receive for income doesn’t even allow me to buy new winter boots or new shoes very often. The price of everything, including food, is just out of control, and really scary for mothers like me. I so much appreciate any help you can give me, and God Bless you for it.”

“I am a single mom of 5 children. I work full time and also go to school full time. Money is stretched and I usually don’t have anything or much left over after paying rent, daycare, etc. Any help I could receive would be extremely helpful and greatly appreciated by myself and my children.”

“I am a single mother attending school. There also have been a lot of deaths in our family over the past year. This has caused things to be more difficult for us.”

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