Manassas Journal Messenger | Christmas Basket gets closer to $30,000

The Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger and Prince William Salvation Army Christmas Basket drive’s Christmas Eve total neared $30,000.

St. Paul United Methodist Church Upper Room Class donated $660.

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.

Herb and Gail Kale of Woodbridge donated $100, and Mary E. Saphonchak of Manassas gave $25 “in memory of my husband Al and daughter Frederica.”

An anonymous donor contributed $100, and another anonymous donor gave $50.

Jim and Trudy Tobin of Woodbridge gave $100 and a message.

“This is in memory of our beloved ‘Toes’ Tobin, who passed away 12/24/03. May the love he gave and received be known by others this holiday season. He is missed so much,” they wrote.

Linda Walker’s fifth-grade class at Minnieville Elementary School gave $65.79 and a message.

“It’s the holiday season again, and it wouldn’t be complete without having my fifth-grade class at Minnieville Elementary in Dale City help to make a contribution to the Christmas Basket.

“Each year I challenge my class to work hard to get A’s so that I can make a $0.10 contribution for each A that is earned. In the first three weeks of December they earned an awesome total of 479 As for a total of $47.90. They were also very generous by donating $17.89 of their own money. Altogether we are pleased to help those who are less fortunate than we are by donating a grand total of $65.79.

“Please accept this donation from Mrs. Walker’s fifth graders, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to show the Christmas spirit by helping others.”

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.