Staff Reports

The annual Christmas Basket Fund grew to $9,018 on Thursday with recent donations of $2,210.

The newest donations include:

• In memory of Paul and Dorothy Ruddick and Lester and Hazel Wright, $50, from Pauline and Mike Wright
• In memory of Jean Hildreth, $50, from Pauline Wright
• Merry Christmas to my girlfriend, T.M.D., $10 from T.J.F.
• In honor of Nate Kinzie, $100, from Bob Kinzie
• In memory of Erwin and Esther Wischmeier, Steve Schepman, Julie Moore and Melvin “Sonny” McKain. Also those who served our country, Dean and Madeline McKain, Richard, Roscoe, Otis, Roland, John, Jack and Dallas McKain and in honor of Max McKain, $100, from Curt and Mary Ellen Wischmeier and family
• In loving memory of Melvin “Mike” and Betty Taskey, Bernie and Susan Tanenbaum, Don Whitney and Lyman “Tony” Prewitt, $100, from Vickie Burrell, Micki Prewitt and families
• Wishing all a blessed Christmas, $100, from Glen and Janet Heideman
• In memory of Boon Mellencamp, Jake Taylor and Larry Marshall, $100, from Liz Roberts
• Merry Christmas, $100, from Herb and Carol Williams
• In memory of Patsy McKain and Jim Kiel, $100, from Dan and Judy Kiel McKain
• In memory of Margaret Pottschmidt, $100, from Leon, Christy, Mason, Lydia, Kyle, Mackenzie, Daniel and Nora
• In lieu of Christmas cards to my friends and neighbors, $50, from Edna Kellermeier
• In memory of loved ones, $100, from Robert and Connie Stiles
• In loving memory of Adam Joray, $250, from Theresa, Joe, Nathan and Rachel Joray
• In memory of Jake Taylor $50, from his wife, Joann
• Merry Christmas to Dixie, Sandy, Sharon and Pat, $100, love Millie
• Merry Christmas, $50, from Katie Hunsucker
• $500, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 655 in Seymour
• In memory of loved ones, $100, from the Lucas family reunion
• In memory of our parents, Charles and Nora Lucas and Harold and Dora Wineinger, grandsons Justin Marsh and Dustin Marsh and Penny Devoll and Jerry Lucas, $100, from Patty and Stretch Wineinger

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.