Sporting Christmas gears up we shift to December

Drive for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program is moving along nicely

A thick collection of cards, letters, notes and envelopes congregated around my desk this week.

Our annual Sporting Christmas drive to raise money for the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program is moving nicely, thanks to the generous people who live in our midst.

My junior-high English teacher, Mrs. Rude, sends greetings from Birch Hills, and encloses — from her files — a magazine I produced with two friends in Grade 11.

We called it “The Commentator,” and sold copies for 25 cents apiece.

My ego tells me the thing sold like hotcakes, but hard reality may be a completely different thing: I honestly can’t remember our final sales figures.

I lost my copy in a move many years ago, so to a special teacher: Thanks for bringing back some great memories, thanks for the impact you made on young people growing up in Birch Hills, and thanks for sending a donation to Sporting Christmas that will be put to very good use.

“It’s a wonderful charity,” she writes, “and the comments and reports are special.”

Kevin Riehl, who regularly comes to our aid, sends a donation in memory of Harvey Riehl. He was hoping to get it into Saturday’s paper, Dec. 2. Unfortunately, we won’t publish a Sporting Christmas column tomorrow, but we got it as close as we could. Thanks so much, Kevin.

Kelly and Joan Read send a donation “in memory of our dad, Fred Read, who died 40 years ago in November, 1977. He missed so much and we miss him so.”

A longtime friend, big-hearted Stephanie Choma, tells us: “‘Giving Tuesday’ was a great reminder to send along a little something for your Sporting Christmas fundraiser.”

Teresa Reynolds sends separate donations from herself and Reynolds Investments “in memory of my late husband Walter R. Reynolds, who always had a high regard for the Salvation Army.”

Wendy Lander remembers Shorty Lander and his children Stephen and Nicole — “miss you every day,” she writes.

The McGee Gang, “a group of longtime friends” donates regularly in memory of Elroy McNulty — “a close friend who loved his sports.”

Thanks to the good folks at the Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association and the Loreburn Lions Club, as well as to everybody whose donation is listed below.

There are so many people out there who could use a helping hand over the Christmas season, which is why we run Sporting Christmas year after year.

If you want to help, here’s how:

On the web, at thestarphoenix. com/sportingchristmas

At the StarPhoenix (204 Fifth Ave. N.), either at our front desk, or the slot inside the front doors. Mail to: Sporting Christmas c/o The StarPhoenix

204 Fifth Ave. North, Saskatoon, SK., S7K 2P1

Thanks to today’s Santas:

Memory of Kevin Scheirich from Frank and Marie Scheirich: $100 Beth Rude: $50 Memory of Diane Heidt, Christine Morris and Dena Yausie, from Jennifer Funk: $150

Memory of son Tim Anderson from Hilda Anderson: $25 Anonymous: $100 Loving memory of Larry Gingerich from Betty Gingerich and family: $100

Reynolds Investments: $100 Memory of my late husband Walter R. Reynolds, from Teresa Reynolds: $100

Ev and Ed: $40 Memory of Shorty Lander and his two children Stephen and Nicole from Wendy, Michael, Jackie and boys: $150

Memory of Carole, Vicki and ■

Cali; Ken, Lila, Buster and Joyce from George Orchard: $200

Memory of son-in-law Brian ■

Macpherson from Ann and Jack Rowley: $100

Memory of Tiffany Guttormson ■ from Robert and Janice Britz: $50

Dale and Stella McShane: $150 ■

Memory of Brad McCrimmon ■ and Ernie Boehm from VLB and Co.: $200

Memory of Rae Murdock from ■

Joan and family: $50

Loreburn Lions Club, Annual ■ Turkey Shoot and Games of Chance Fundraiser: $100

Memory of Bert and Grant, from ■ the B’s of Clavet: $150

Saskatoon Golf and Country ■

Club Women’s Christmas Social: $345

Memory of John Hutchinson ■ and Peter Clark from Ken and Kris Gunn: $150

Memory of Harvey Riehl from ■

Kevin Riehl: $100

Loving memory of Verna, Bill ■ and Urban, truly missed but always thought of each day, from Robin and Peter: $200

Loving memory of Jim and Gloria ■ Slimon from Catherine Burris: $100

Bob and Heather Shoemaker: ■

$100

Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association: ■ $100

Memory of our brothers Ron ■

Benson, Gary Benson and Walt Talmey from Richard and Shirley Talmey: $500

Memory of Karmen, who gave ■ so much joy, from The Ladies: $60

Memory of our dad, Fred Read, ■ from Kelly and Joan Read: $40

Stephanie Choma: $75

■

Memory of Elroy McNulty from ■ the McGee Gang: $55

Ivan, Ian and Lorraine Moxness: ■

$150

Memory of Larry Thome from ■ the Sedgwick Family: $100

Cornelius and Doris Unger: $150 ■

Today’s total: $4,140

TOTAL TO DATE: $13,413