Manassas Journal Messenger | Christmas Basket nears $15,000 mark

As the Manassas Journal Messenger/Potomac News and Prince William Salvation Army Christmas Basket drive nears the end of its third week, more residents are chipping in to help the needy.

Carson Caldwell of Woodbridge contributed $25 in memory of Roemilda D. Caldwell.

An anonymous donor contributed $50 and a message.

“May you have a blessed Christmas and New Year,” the donor wrote.

Woodbridge residents Mitzi and Ed Roman gave $50 and wrote “May the Christmas spirit remain in all of us throughout the year.”

Richard and Maureen Stableford of Dumfries donated $50, and Hattie Alma Shearer of Dale City donated $100.

Joyce L. Braun of Manassas donated $10, and Art and Elaine Garcia of Montclair gave $50 with a message.

“Merry Christmas! We hope that this gift will help brighten someone’s holiday.”

Muriel E. and Robert M. Tolson of Woodbridge donated $40.

Kenneth M. Solem and Gary L. Sparks of Dumfries donated $100.

“Please accept this donation of $100 for the Christmas Basket in memory of our parents Olaf and Willadee Solem and Thomas A. and Dorothy Sparks and brother Gerald Sparks,” they wrote.

George and Loretta M. W. Kuruzovich of Woodbridge donated $100 “in memory of ‘Lori’ Kuruzovich.”

J.L. Affordable Landscaping, Decks and Fences gave $200 and continued the trend of challenging other businesses to contribute.

“Hope this small donation will help and challenge all other Landscaping, Deck and Fence companies in our area to an equal donation,” a company representative wrote.

An anonymous donor gave $30, and Walter J. and Jutta M. Stierle of Woodbridge included $150 with a message.

“May the spirit of the holidays bring peace to our world. This is the season of sharing. Happy Holidays,” they wrote.

Nita L. and Charles M. Faught, Jr. of Woodbridge donated $100, and wrote “Merry Christmas.”

James L. and Mary G. Larson of Manassas donated $100, and Thomas L. and Barbara A. Lynch of Manassas also donated $100.

Kilroy’s Restaurant in Woodbridge continued it’s daily donation of $100 for the duration of the drive.

In yesterday’s Christmas Basket article, a donation of $375 attributed to one person from Four Seasons Adult Communities was actually a compilation of 17 donations.

Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger Publisher Mark Laskowski set this year’s goal at $45,000. Last year, the Basket raised $41,619 between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day.

The Salvation Army helps residents with utility and other bills year-round and provides toys and food during the Christmas season.

The funds are distributed based on a system of guidelines set up by the organization’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Donations can be brought to the Manassas Journal Messenger office, located at 9009 Church St. in Old Town Manassas, or to the Potomac News office at 14010 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge.

They can also be delivered to the Salvation Army at 17688 Possum Point Road in Dumfries.

Any contributions by mail can be sent to PO Box 431, Manassas, VA 20108-0431.

Checks should be made out to the Salvation Army.

Donations may come from individuals, groups or anonymous donors. Donors contributing in memory of friends or family are encouraged to write a brief message. Others may also include a message.