The annual Christmas Basket Fund grew to $2,200 on Monday with recent donations.

The newest donations are:

• In memory of loved ones, $100, from the Abel family
• In memory of James A. Byrns, $50, from Terry, Nancy and Lana Byrns
• $1,000, from Mr. and Mrs. Will Hackman
• In memory of all of our veterans, $500, from Sons of the American Legion
• In memory of Richard and Delena Beavers and Henry and Opal Beineke, $100, from Kevin and Dee Beavers, Stan and Karen Taskey and families
• In memory of Aaron Taskey Sr. and Mike Taskey, $50, from Stan and Karen Taskey and family
• In memory of Donnie Cooper, Dan Sturgeon and Dennis Riordan, $50, from Don Pridgen

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.