Those of us processing the donations that come in to the Santa’s Helper Fund continue to be moved by the generosity of the people in this region. Individuals, families, children, businesses and clubs are reaching out to help those in need.

We received the following letter that we wanted to share with you. It is titled “Pennies from Heaven”:

“I was with my Aunt Theresa one day who said, ‘Look, there is a penny on the ground.’ She then told me to pick it up because it was a penny from heaven. … Some years later, after my aunt passed away, I found a jar in the shape of an angel that read, ‘pennies from heaven.’ I bought the jar and took it home. I started to save pennies and other coins that I picked up off the ground. I soon had my husband and a friend of mine picking up coins also. It was at that time [that] I decided to save the money and donate it at Christmas. From that point on, it seemed we started to find more and more. A month or so later, my husband found a five-dollar bill on the floor in a local department store. I asked my husband to put it in my angel jar and he was reluctant to do so but I reminded him of the jar and that I was going to donate it for Christmas, and he gave it to me. About a month later, my husband found a twenty-dollar bill in the middle of a dried-up puddle. Soon the money started to add up and after a year and a half we counted the money. On November 22, 2004, we counted up the total and it amounted to $33.87. I am convinced that this money is truly sent from heaven.”

Sue, no town given, who sent the letter and the money, also sent an additional $30. This brings our total to $28,907.47.

Thanks to all those who have contributed to date, and thanks to those who are considering a donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund. Your gifts are greatly appreciated.

Donations may be sent to Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 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.