With just a few days to go before Christmas, we are grateful for donations that have been sent to Santa’s Helper Fund, and hope any remaining contributions will help us reach the 2004 goal. To date, the fund contains $43,335.21, representing 87 percent of this year’s goal.

Thanks go out to Riva and Philip Gotlib, Delray Beach, Fla., $25; Anonymous, Brewer, $50; B&L, Brewer, $50 plus a box of beautiful hand-knit hats and an afghan; Anonymous, Holden, $500; Karen J. Blaisdell, Ellsworth, $25; Jean and John Bishop, LaGrange, $200; Mrs. Libby’s Homeroom, Room 17 at Hermon Middle School, Hermon, $45; Anonymous, Orono, $15; Jacob and Rachel Caron, Eddington, $50; Jan Dowd and family, Hampden, $50; and Pamela W. Coffey-Paine, in memory of Ruth Washburn and Kay Morin, Bangor, $50.

Donations also came from Anonymous, Bangor, $100; Michaela and Lucas, East Millinocket, $25; Judy Ledger, Medway, $25; Gerald and Betty Gordon, Sullivan, $25; Elizabeth Littlejohn, in memory of Bob, Orrington, $20; Officers and members of United Association Local 716, Augusta, $100; Timothy and Jean Taylor, in memory of Mildred Kidder, Northeast Harbor, $25; and Anonymous, in memory of Jared Grindle, Brooksville, $100.

Contributions also came from Richard and Barbara Hamblen, Seal Harbor, $100; Andrea Thurlow, in memory of Henry Olsen and Irene Bradford, Atkinson, $100; Jennifer Megquier, Glenburn, $15; Anonymous, Bangor, $500; David Jarvis, in memory of Bill and Maude Jarvis, Newport, $50; Mrs. Westhrin and fourth-graders, Glenburn Elementary School, $70; Leora Byron, Bangor, $100; James Power and Pamela Colson Power, Veazie, $100; Mrs. Carmine M. Lyons, in memory of her husband, Rudolph Lyons, East Millinocket, $25; Al and Cassidy, East Millinocket, $25; and Animal Crackers Pet Supply Co., Bangor, $100.

Thanks to all who have contributed, and thanks to those who are considering a donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund. Your gifts are greatly appreciated and will go a long way toward making Christmas brighter for many needy families in our region.

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.