In lieu of gifts, club gives to charity
12/13/2007
Messenger-Inquirer
On Sunday, 22 members of the Christmas Cheer Club arrived at their friends' house carrying a blank check and a white envelope.
And at the written request of Karen Anderson and Lane Langford, that's all they brought.
"Since we've all been so blessed, we felt that rather than give gifts to each other, we'd like to create a donation and give Christmas to a worthy cause," the invitation read, adding not to bring gifts, "not even a cookie."
Anderson said the group voted on the Goodfellows Club to make a donation to rather than buy "20 gifts or bake 18 cakes." The decision not only gave money to charity but also relieved some of the stress of shopping or making gifts for friends, she said.
After a progressive dinner -- that began with hors d'oeuvres at Langford's home and a dinner at Anderson's -- each member of the group went to a separate room of the house and wrote out a check that they sealed in individual envelopes.
No one knows how much the other members donated.
And today they will see they donated $1,625 to a foundation that has worked since 1916 to make sure that no child in the community is forgotten at Christmas.
The organization provides shoes, clothes and emergency dental care to children in need throughout the year and sponsors an annual Christmas party at which they receive toys, candy and fruit.
Anderson said everyone in the group loved the idea of donating to Goodfellows -- even one individual who had already made a donation to the organization.
"There's nothing like being able to give something to people who don't have anything, especially children," Anderson said.
Donations can be made to Goodfellows Club, Messenger-Inquirer, Box 1480, Owensboro, KY 42302; or by bringing contributions to the newspaper office at 1401 Frederica St.
Today's Roll Call
Previously reported: $56,016.53
Christmas Cheer Club: $1,625
In loving memory of my grandparents, Dominic F. and
Mary Ann Kavolus, and my father, J.J. Kavolus: $500
Estes Elementary faculty and staff: $320
Pat, Dan, and M.E: $200
South Hampton Homemakers: $200
In memory of our parents, Glen and Rose Hulme, and Ken and Dorothy Kerchevall by Ken and Barbara Kerchevall: $200
MPD Employees sharing fund: $200
In memory of Ruth Carby, Harry and Eva Morris, and Jay Stewart: $150
In memory of Mary Lydia Greenwell by After Five Homemakers: $150
Pilot Club of Owensboro...
Anonymous cash gifts: $105
In memory of Velma Nelson: $10
In memory of Velma Nelson by Jeanette Hazelwood: $5
Total for Pilot Club of Owensboro: $120
Donald and Mary Teresa Hayden: $100
A friend: $100
In memory of our parents by Ken and Gayle Jacobi: $100
In memory of James E., Frankie, Barry, James E. Jackson, Jr., and Jean Marie Jackson Edmonds: $100
In memory of Yewell T., Martha, and Bonnie Hill by the Hill children: $100
In memory of Rollan, Jessie, and Bobby Arnold by Royce, Wanda, Shirley, and Marian: $100
In honor of Kristy and Lauren Elliott by Ken and Barbara
Kerchevall: $100
In memory of Gerald and John Alan Crow and other loved ones who are gone by Sally: $100
In memory of the deceased and in honor of the shut-ins of the Friendship Class of First Baptist Church: $100
In loving memory of Casper "Cap" Gardner by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dobbs: $100
In loving memory of Ryan Tucker: $100
In honor of our family and friends and Moonlite Coffee Club by Mark and Lorrie Collier: $75
Nancy O'Bryan: $50
In memory of Dustin Church by his mother, Sharon Church, and grandparents, James and Regina Duncan: $50
In memory of A.D. Estes and Harry Pedley by Gary and Beverly Estes: $50
In loving memory of my husband, Perry Stephens, sisters, Eliza Lee Smith and Rose Nation, and brothers, J.W. and Harlan Pate by Ruth Stephens: $50
In honor of the Elba Gang: $50
In memory of Marjorie Sue Arnold by Royce: $50
In memory of Rowland and Mildred Story, and Jesse McIntyre, Sr: $30
In memory of Silas Burns, Mom, and Dad by Marlene Burns: $30
In memory of Mary Margaret Kurre by Kurre family: $30
In honor of Maggie and Catherine Triplett by Pilot Club of
Owensboro: $25
In loving memory of our nephew, Nickolas Jaynes by Jan and Jerry Manaway: $25
In honor of Brenda Dykeman and Benita Brown by Jan and Jerry Manaway: $25
Fred and Eva Bowen: $25
Anonymous: $25
In memory of my father, James Wells, and sister, Pat Wells Terry: $25
In loving memory of my wife, Ora by Bob Taylor: $25
In memory of Hugh Bailey, and Stuart and Sue Bailey by Rhoda Bailey: $25
In honor of the five best friends a person can have Jane, Loraine, Jonelle, Martha, and Karen by Janice: $25
Henry Zimmer: $25
In memory of David House by Martha House: $20
In loving memory of Clarence Sr., Thelma, and Michael Simon by Janice, Mike, Blake, and Brent: $15
Total as of Dec. 13: $61,531.53
