The 78th annual Christmas Basket Fund has grown to $3,635 with new donations totaling $600.

The fund — sponsored by American Legion Post 89, The Tribune and JCBank — helps ensure people in need have a way to buy food at Christmastime.

The new donations are:

In memory of my wife, Faye, my parents and grandparents, $100, from Buddy Tidd

In memory of our son, Billy, $100, from Pat and Jerry Norrell

In loving memory of Adam Joray, $250, from Theresa, Joe, Nathan, Rachel, Destiny and Aubri Joray

In memory of Andy Price, $100, anonymous

In memory of Donny Cooper, Dennis Riordan and Dan Sturgeon, $50, from Don Pridgen

The generosity of Jackson County residents has resulted in more than $12,000 being raised through the Christmas Basket Fund each of the past few years. In 2022, there were 113 donations totaling $12,325, while the 2021 campaign totaled $13,013.08.

Donations allow for $50 Jay C 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. To receive one of the gift cards, recipients 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.

All donations may be mailed to or dropped off at American Legion Post 89 or The Tribune in Seymour or any branch of JCBank. Donors and their dedications are published in The Tribune.

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.