Staff Reports

The 75th annual Christmas Basket Fund grew to $11,668 on Tuesday with recent donations of $1,625.

The newest donations include:

In memory of Jack Riehl, $100, from Loretta and Jacqueline

In honor of my family and in memory of John M. Fox, $500, from Lucille A. Fox

In memory of deceased loved ones, $100, from Charles and Carol Bell

In memory of John, Jon and Joni Lynch, $100, from Donna

In loving memory of Donnie Lewis and Tammy (Lewis) Metz and other loved ones, $50, from the Lewis Family

Merry Christmas to our friends and neighbors of Jackson County, $50, from Alfred and Mildred Fenneberg

In memory of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bobb and Mr. and Mrs. William Simmons, $200, from Kenneth and Carol Bobb

In loving memory of our parents Elvin Stevens and Bussie and Carolyn Smith, $100, from Curt and Leslie Stevens

In memory of Richard Greenwood, $50, from Tom and Janet Bolton

In memory of Allen Crow, $50, from Tom and Janet Bolton

In memory of Brad Seybold, $50, from your family

Merry Christmas, $50, from Chuck Thomes and family

In memory of Jean Hildreth, $25, from David and Mary Brown

In memory of deceased loved ones this Christmas season, $100, anonymous

In loving memory of Donnie Cooper and Merry Christmas to all our family and friends, $100, from Janet, Craig, Suzi, Aspen, Colt, Cruz, Chad, Kimberly, Lucy and Flossie

Correction for an earlier donation:

In loving memory of Doyle and Razor Edwards, $25, from the family

The generosity of Jackson County residents has resulted in more than $10,000 being raised each of the past few years. Last year, the total was $11,430.

Donations may be mailed to or dropped off at American Legion Post 89, The Tribune or any JCB branch. Donors and their dedications are published daily in The Tribune.

Donations allow for $50 JayC Food Stores gift cards to be distributed to less-fortunate people in the area whose applications are approved.

Requests for assistance will be accepted through Dec. 15. In order to receive one of the gift cards, people must live in Jackson County and submit a letter stating their need for assistance. Requests should be mailed to American Legion Basket Fund, P.O. Box 566, Seymour, IN 47274.

There is a limit of one gift card per person and one per address. Requests that list a post office box address will not be accepted.

Businesses, corporations, service groups, churches, individuals or families may donate. Donors may contribute anonymously if they choose and may dedicate their donations in memory or in honor of others.

The fund was started in 1945 by veterans returning home to Seymour and Jackson County from World War II to provide food for area families at Christmas.

Originally, the fund served those in need in Seymour, but it later was expanded to include all of Jackson County.