Manassas Journal Messenger | Christmas Basket approaches $28,000
Area donors gave the Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger and Prince William Salvation Army Christmas Basket drive its biggest one-day boost this season.
My Plumber in Manassas donated $1,130, or $1 for each pound of food given to other
organizations.
“We own a local company that has been operating out of Manassas for the last couple of years,” a company representative wrote. “I have been following your story of Christmas Basket drive with interest.
“Our company moved its headquarters from Fairfax County to Manassas in August of 2002. We have felt welcomed by both Manassas and Prince William County, and blessed in a myriad of ways since our move. Due in part to these factors, this year we decided to have our own food drive. We quietly discounted the cost of many of our customers’ bills if they would donate three non-perishable food items to our drive.”
The Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators, Inc. Prince William Chapter gave $100 and a letter.
“Thank you and the Manassas Journal/Potomac News for teaming up with the Salvation Army,” Susan Brassell, a company representative wrote. “Many years ago my father was at Pearl Harbor on the Dec. 7 attack and came out a survivor. All my life he had the highest praise for the work the Salvation Army does for others because of their help during his time of need
“Our Towing Association represents some of the towing companies in the Prince William County area. The Prince William Chapter presents this check to you in memory of many of our nationwide fallen police officers and towmen lost while proving service to the public on the highways. We thank them for the sacrifice. Happy Holidays.”
Ms. Snyder, Mrs. Reck, Mrs. Lennox and Mr. Provencio’s third-grade classes at Montclair Elementary School contributed $213.
“Third-graders at Montclair Elementary collected change from home for two weeks in class. They counted the change each day using their life skills of caring, effort and responsibility. They also practiced their money skills,” they wrote.
Other students also donated. Jason Will of Leesylvania Elementary School donated $10 each in honor of his teachers Sharon Ford and Sue Clawson and his bus driver Reiss Brown.
Adam Will, also of Leesylvania Elementary School, also donated $10 each in honor of his teachers Delores Elliott and Jessica Parker and bus driver Reiss Brown.
An anonymous donor gave $500, and Armand and Pat Gelineau of Dale City contributed $25 with a message.
“To help the unfortunate. Have a happy and healthy Christmas and holiday season,” they wrote.
Ronald E. and Linda M. Gibbons of Manassas gave $25 and a message.
“Hope this will help and put to good use,” they wrote.
An anonymous donor gave $30. Another anonymous donor gave $100, and another gave $5.
Kilroy’s Restaurant in Woodbridge continued its daily donation of $100, and Teddy Spittal and Kelly Dorney continued their week-long $100-a-day donation inspired by Kilroy’s.
Judy K. Paap of Bouquets 4 You in Manassas donated $100, and John C. and Shirley B. Rice of Manassas donated $25.
Col. Tony J. and Mary B. Demasi of Woodbridge donated $300, and Carl B. and Sharon M. Dorr of Manassas donated $150 and wrote “Merry Christmas.”
Lucian L. and Bobette L. Johnston of Woodbridge donated $25, and Mark P. and Sallyann P. Keehan of Woodbridge donated $100.
An anonymous donor gave $100, and Orrin K. and Joan M. Coligan of Woodbridge donated $100.
William S. and Karen B. Mitchell of Bristow donated $500, and Thorpe Landscape of Manassas gave $200 and a message.
“From one Landscaper to another.”
An anonymous donor gave $50.
M. and J. Magyar of Lorton gave $100 and a message.
“Our donation this year is in memory of my father Brig. John Hudson, a Salvation Army officer for 71 years. Also in memory of Arlene Weitz.
“Merry Christmas and God Bless the Potomac News for doing this kind of service.”
Gordon F. and Patricia A. Bradburn gave $100 and a message.
“In support to families of servicemen and women service in Iraq,” they wrote.
Bo and Charl Motes gave $100 and a message.
“Please accept this donation in memory of our father Charles W. Morgan. We count it a blessing to be part of a community that cares for and about its neighbors, and we trust the Christmas Basket will be filled to overflowing by the generosity of our community,” they wrote.
An anonymous donor gave $50, and Gary and Nancy West of Dumfries gave $100 and a message.
“In honor of our nephew Maj. John Casper, who is spending Christmas in Iraq,” they wrote.
Shannon Renee Ligon of Dumfries donated $25, and Dwayne Thomas Ligon of Dumfries donated $25.
Betty and Wally Wieters of Woodbridge gave $125 and a message.
“May the spirit of the holidays bring peace to our world. Remember our troops worldwide,” they wrote.
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.