Monday morning saw many more contributions to the Santa’s Helper Fund, bringing the total collection to date to $45,201.15. This represents 90 percent of the goal. We’re hopeful that, by year’s end, we will have reached our goal of raising $50,000 to go to The Salvation Army to make sure hundreds of needy children and families in our region have a happy Christmas.

Thanks go out to Ward and Jessie Carter, in memory of Eleanor E. Carlisle, Ellsworth, $20; Anonymous, no town given, $20; Bursar’s Office, University of Maine, Orono, $120; Micheala and Lucas, E. Millinocket, $25; Anonymous, Newport, $50; Outpatient Support Group, Old Orchard Beach, $30; Marjorie and Robert Downing Jr., in loving memory of their son Lance Downing, Etna, $25; Alica A. Mills, Etna, $25; Juliette Grant, in memory of Timothy and Larry Grant, Old Town, $50; Veazie Ladies Aid, Veazie, $25; and Anonymous, Northeast Harbor, $50.

Also sending generous donations were Maine Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, Hudson, $100; George L. and Carole S. Payzant, in loving memory of Mildred Hallowell, Machias, $25; Avery and Estelle Chipman, in memory of their grandson Michael, Birch Harbor, $25; Anonymous, Holden, $35; Anonymous, Machias, $25; Jane and Bruce Fowle, in memory of their parents, Bangor, $25; and Opal LeBlond, in memory of her parents, Marion and Winnie Corbett, and father-in-law, Gerald LeBlond, Houlton, $50.

Contributions also came from Timothy and Kathy Folster, Old Town, $50; Bud and Evelyn Nadeau, in memory of their son Larry, Milford, $25; Brian and Ann Landry, in memory of their parents, Bradley, $25; Milton and Ida Hamilton, in memory of Calvin D. Hamilton Sr., Ellsworth, $25; Beth Hesketh, in memory of Owen and Ethel Edgerly, Dover-Foxcroft, $25; Anonymous, Brooklin, $25; Anonymous, Blue Hill, $25; Cathy and Kevin Gordon, Bangor, $200; Linda Smith, Stacyville, $25; and Anonymous, Millinocket, $100.

Thanks also go out to Heather and her brothers, Veazie, $30; Betty and Shannon, in memory of Nana (Marie) Johnson, Pembroke, $15; Shirley and Harry Drew, in memory of Stephen Chase, Guilford, $25; Ralph Phipps, Bangor, $50; Anonymous, to help needy people in Washington County, Orono, $100; Andrea Rush, in memory of her son Peter John Rush, Millinocket, $50; the MacLeod Family, in memory of Rod, Ian and Kiki, East Millinocket, $25; Phoebe E. Politz (a former Bangorite), Albany, N.Y., $25; Charlotte Foster, in memory of her husband, George E. Foster, Hampden, $25; Anonymous, Newport, $100; Philip and Judy Sherman, in memory of Howard and Thelma McGraw, Patten, and Norma Morgan, Stacyville, Patten, $25; Riva Gotlib, Bangor, $25; and Anonymous, in honor of Zach’s mom, Millinocket, $50.

Today, a box filled with beautiful hand-knit socks, mittens and hats arrived from Amy King of Lincoln. They have been sent directly to The Salvation Army where they will end up on the hands of many needy people this week.

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.