Loneliness can seem exaggerated during the holidays. For a person who lives alone or for someone who has lost a loved one, the burden of seeing others enjoying the closeness of friends and family can be heartbreaking. Yet, the Salvation Army volunteer is there to lend a hand, stop by for a visit and simply lend an open ear and open heart. The Salvation Army turns away no one.

Your donation to the Santa’s Helper Fund could be the contribution that reaches someone who is lonely. It could be the donation that buys a warm meal for a homeless person. There is a person or family in your area that needs your help. Consider sharing with the Santa’s Helper Fund and making someone’s holiday a little brighter.

Recent donors to Santa’s Helper are as follows: in memory of Gordon “Gary” McBurnie from his wife Gwen, his children and grandchildren; anonymous in Bangor, $100 in memory of Bea and Nelson Raymond; Gloria Cowing of Brownville Junction, $5.

Anonymous in Bangor, $10; Van Raymond Outfitters in Brewer, $100; anonymous in Brewer, $14; $50 in the names of the Moore family, Kathy and Steve Pitman, Judy and Richard Blood, Ann and Dick Johnson and Rick Johnson.

Connie Seavey of Mount Desert, $25 in memory of her dear son, Herb Damon; Sherman Area Senior Citizens, $25 in memory of its five deceased members in 2000; Dorothy Burk of Brewer, $20 in memory of her husband, Walter, and son, Joe.

Arnold Hooper of Penobscot, $40; Nancy Moshier of Milbridge, $20 in memory of Nannette and Bill Moshier; Sandra Templeton of Bangor, $100; Maine Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, $100; Morgan & Connor Wiercinski of Brewer, $25.

Louis and Bobbie in Sorrento, $25 in loving memory of Bryant; Joan Chase of Hampden, $50 in memory of John Chase; Bangor Hydro Travel Crew, $100; Olive Buck of Hampden, $15; Anonymous in Ellsworth, $25 in memory of Barbara Hopkins. Thank you for contributing.

Send donations to Santa’s Helper Fund, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329. All contributors will be recognized in the NEWS unless anonymity is requested.