Every year, donations to the Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund have continued to set records. The 2011 campaign is no exception. More than $205,000 in donations have been received, to be shared equally by the four shelters supported by the fund: Regina Transition House, YWCA Regina’s Isabel Johnson Shelter, WISH Safe House and SOFIA House. And donations continue to trickle in.

More than $2 million has been donated to the Christmas Cheer Fund since 1992. The money is used to help enhance programs and services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse.

In 2008, just over $138,000 was raised – a record at the time. The following year, approximately $178,000 was donated. Last year, the total hit $200,000.

Every donation – whether large or small – is greatly appreciated, and has contributed to the campaign’s success. For the fourth consecutive year, Regina’s three Canadian Tire stores came together to make the biggest single donation in the history of the Christmas Cheer Fund. This year, they donated $27,000. A small group of women, who form the Canadian Progress Club Regina Assiniboine chapter, sold 269 wreaths and 93 centrepieces to raise money for the Christmas Cheer Fund.

Their “initial” cheque for $3,000 was received before Christmas.

And keeping a longstanding tradition alive, Gloria Cymbalisty contributed $365 in memory of Len Wallace. The list of donors gets longer every year.

To each and every one of you who contributed, a great big thank you. There could be no Christmas Cheer Fund without your continued generosity.

As the 2011 campaign finishes up, fundraising events for the 2012 Christmas Cheer Fund campaign are already in the works. For example, the Bowties and Sweethearts gala will be held Feb. 11 in the Hotel Saskatchewan’s ballroom. Mosaic donated $10,000 to be the event’s naming sponsor.

“We were very flattered when a company like Mosaic, who has a history of being community-minded, got involved with us,” said Karl Fix, a member of the gala organizing committee.

“To have a company of that stature want to put their name on this and embrace this endeavour shows that it’s really being kind of recognized as the gala of the year,” Fix said.

Tickets are being sold by table only, with a table of 10 costing $2,200.

A maximum of 30 tables will be sold. The evening will include a gourmet meal, featuring foods from a 100-mile radius, entertainment by Jack Semple, as well as an after party. There’s already a waiting list for tickets, Fix said.

DONATIONS

Anonymous…………………………$400

Kathy & Jenn. In lieu of Christmas

Gifts……………………………………$50

SaskPower – Business & Financial

Planning……………………………….$75

Lillie Farley. In Memory of Bill Farley – from the Family………………..$100

Anonymous…………………………$500

Post Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) at the General Hospital……………..$415

Marlene Hall. In memory of my parents Nick & Ann Howenka………$100

Ted & Brenda Haubrich…………….$50

The Konrad Kozan Family……..$1,500

The Konrad Kozan Family………..$500

Indian Head Friends Christmas Party Donation…………………………….$100

Darlene Luzny. In loving memory of my mom Gladys & sister Dodie………$20

Wes Mazar………………………….$100

P.J. Gillen Staff. In recognition of our caring principle…………….$280

Carol Nagy. In Memory of my special Sister-in-law Lou Tokaruk………….$50

Wally & Doreen Nelson…………..$100

Anonymous…………………………..$50

Fran Passmore. Happy Birthday

Donalda Ford…………………………$20

Ruth Taylor. In memory of my husband Bill………………………..$100

Anonymous…………………………$150

Anonymous…………………………..$25

Art of Change………………………$200 Four Directions Community Health Centre Staff…………………$40

From the staff of NAI Denro & NAI Commercial……………………$610

William Booth Special Care Home.$99

Steve & Nannette Choboter…….$100

A. & V. Ferris………………………..$100

Eileen Hinkley. In memory of John Pander………………………….$50

Mary-Ellen Illingworth………………$40

Derek & Christine Jacobs…………$20

Robert & Lucille Lemieux………….$50

Don & Cindy McMorris……………..$50

Sheila Roske……………………….$100

The Southerland Family……………$50

R.C.M.P. Chapel Fund…………….$615

Anonymous…………………………..$20

Anonymous…………………………$100

Anonymous…………………………$100

Ellen Frohlick. In memory of Etna Brown……………………………$30

Anonymous…………………………$900

Penney Malone. Remembering Lou Beler……………………………..$50

Anonymous…………………….$100.00

Jim & Ardelle Thompson…………..$50

Geraldine Thuringer. In memory of our deceased loved ones…….$100

Anonymous…………………………$100

Advocis………………………………$150

Aqua Salon………………………….$130

The Senior Stichers at Marian Chateau……………………………….$75

Total campaign donations: …….. $205,261.30