Manassas Journal Messenger | Christmas Basket brings in more than $2,000

With an extra 15 days to bring the Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger and Prince William Salvation Army Christmas Basket up to its goal of $45,000, area residents gave the fund drive a boost today.

Raymond L. and Marlene C. Wareham of Dale City donated $100, and Bob and Linda Donnelly of Woodbridge donated $250.

Jeese T. and Charlotte B. Vint of Gainesville donated $500.

Dee and Kathy Bailey of Woodbridge donated $500 “in memory of our son, Brandon Scott Bailey. We pray every family cherishes each day with their children and lives life to its fullest,” they wrote.

Angel A. and E. Joyce Chiri gave $200 and wrote “we care.”

Wayne and Helen Foor of Manassas donated $50, and Frank B. and Isabella L. Milligan donated $200.

Frederick R. and Marilen Beaman donated $50 “in memory of our grandson, J.P. Daly III.”

Ron’s Commercial Flooring LLC gave $200 and a message.

“We would like to donate $200 — $100 for each of our two years in the county,” the company wrote.

Boy Scout Troop 1352 of Woodbridge gave $100.

“For the second year, we would like to donate $100 out of the profit of our Wreath Sales. Boys are: Kelvin Filzen, Collin Grant, Cory Willoughby, Cecil Funk, Mark Karlen, Kyle Manning, Caleb and Jacob Wilbanks, Mike Bristow, Conner and Colton Nye, Brian Patterson and Tommy Kohlbrenner.”

An anonymous donor gave $50.

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.

Staff writer Sari Krieger can be reached at (703) 878-8062.