The Salvation Army, which receives all donations to the Santa’s Helper Fund, is appreciative of the most recent gifts that have arrived. Thanks go out to:

Mr. and Mrs. George Payzant, Machias, $20; Rick Richards, in memory of his wife, Rita, Orrington, $100; Anonymous, Dedham, $100; Alfred and Betty Dow, in memory of Terry Dow, Levant, $25; Courtland Living Center Auxiliary, Ellsworth, $25; and Barbara and Bob Werkowski, Brewer, $25.

Contributions also arrived from Marlene Duplisea, in memory of Garry Spooner, Glenburn, $25; “The Crew,” Bangor, $25; Terry and Aleta Walsh, Milford, $25; Brenda Kempton, Plymouth, $15; Anonymous, in memory of John G. Hawkins, who was a very generous man, Eddington, $25.

Today’s donations bring our total to date to $4,424.

We still have a long way to go if we are to achieve a goal of $50,000. Your kind donations are desperately needed by The Salvation Army so that the many people in need this year may be served. With your help, many needy families and children will receive the very basics for the holidays, but for them it will be a Christmas much brighter than what they’re expecting.

The following excerpts from one letter seeking help is indicative of the dire circumstances many of our neighbors face right now.

“I’m a terminally ill heart patient, with too much damage to be on the transplant list. Every day I awake is a gift from heaven. We have spent the last three years in poverty, almost lost our house three times, and some blessing came to us to pull us out of it. I’m just praying for a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. I thank you for any help, and pray for you also.”

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 donation amounts. Thank you in advance for your generosity.