As we move into Christmas week, we’re happy to report that the Santa’s Helper Fund now stands at $43,406.15, or 87 percent of our goal. For those who have contributed, thank you very much. For those who might be thinking about a way that a gift could have a major impact, please consider the Santa’s Helper Fund. We will be accepting donations through the end of the month, and all money collected will go to The Salvation Army to help offset its costs of bringing Christmas to the less fortunate.

Today we express thanks to John and Tammy Bryant, in memory of Gertrude Bryant, Camden, $50; Anonymous, in memory of Jane M. Skehan and Charles H. Ellis, Milo, $25; Marie S. Gallison, Newport, $25; Leonard and Virginia Ritchie, Perry, $25; Gerald and Sandra Blancy, Baileyville, $20; and Gary and Patty Sirois and family, in remembrance of M. Annette Thibodeau from Old Town, $25.

Contributions also arrived from Andrea Thurlow, in memory of her dad, Henry Olsen, $50, and in memory of her aunt, Irene Bradford, Atkinson, $100; Douglas Brown, in memory of Ana Brown, Hampden, $200; Gloria Westhrin and fourth-graders at Glenburn Elementary, Glenburn, $55; Hermon Middle School pupils in Mrs. Libby’s Room, Hermon, $40; Anonymous, in memory of Roger G. Bouchard of Caribou, Bangor, $25; and Evan and Luke Wilkins of Gander, Newfoundland, $10.

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 prefer to remain anonymous will be listed as such, followed by their donation amounts. Thank you in advance for your generosity.