Tribune's Warm the Children passes 2005 goal of $34,000

WILLMAR -- The 2005 Warm the Children campaign has reached its goal of $34,000.

To date, contributions total just over $35,000. All donations, 100 percent, go to help the children. The program is administered through the West Central Tribune, with assistance from area social service agencies and schools making referrals. The families are taken shopping in order to purchase new warm winter clothing for the children. Each child is allowed an estimated $80 in purchases.

Shopping during the 2005 campaign has helped an estimated 470 children at this point.

Last year, the Warm the Children campaign took in $33,443, and helped to clothe 431 children throughout the area. Now in its 12th year, the Warm the Children campaign has helped more than 3,850 children over the years.

A total of 571 donations have been received during the 2005 campaign, setting a new record for the number of donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.

Thank you to all who have contributed in any way and been a part of making the Warm the Children program a huge success.

In addition to the anonymous donations, recent contributions have been received from:

Atwater: Dean & Beth Nelson; Women of Bethlehem Uffda Day Bazaar; Rosendale United Methodist prayer group

Belgrade: Philip & Margaret Lord

Benson: Todd Pederson, Delmont Dahl, Bill & Pat Hetrick

Blomkest: Dean & Gladys Negen

Burnsville: Phyllis & Leslie Norskog

Clara City: Vickie Thissen's Day Care kids; Immanuel Lutheran Church Women

Hutchinson: Jim & Janet Eiler

Kandiyohi: Dede & Steve Johnson

Kerkhoven: KIP Study Club

Lake Lillian: Mary & Maloy Wittman

Montevideo: Ron Gilbertson

New London: David & Judy Peterman, Reynold & Mary Ellen Olson; in memory of the Rev. Philip Nelson by Beverly Nelson; Hawick United Methodist Women.

Olivia: Jeff & Jamie Kubesh

Paynesville: Vic & Julie Fisher

Raymond: Virgil & Anita Petersen; from Mike & Mary Boelter in memory of Mildred Kraft

Renville: Marvin Mulder

Spicer: Harris & Connie Duininck, Vickie Gunter, Mariette & Dean Lovold, William & Deborah Doyle, Ben & Gracie Lange, Bill & DeeDee Johnson

Sunburg: in honor of Greg & Sue Yeo

Willmar: Merrill & Shirley Sundlee, Wanda Schlecht, Doris & Fred Cogelow, JoAnn Carlson, H. Robert & Elaine Engle, Gayle & Linda Larson, Bill & Deb Paterson, Ray & Eileen Porter-Brede, Dan & Eugenie Hurley, Daniel & Colleen Crannick, Roger Kohls, John & Nancy Houlahan, James & Sonia Collier, Jill & William Kack, Swede & Marilyn Johnson, Orlan & Bev Skare, Russell & Dorraine Miller, Shirley Cooper, Evie & Ralph Olson, Glenn & Eunice Buchanan, Helaine Bolter, Jeanette Kruger, Shirley Flaten; Katie Lippert, Addy Nelsen and Allie Verchota; from the Jefferson Elementary staff in honor of Beckie Simenson and Jason Schmitz; in honor of John & Cynthia Vanderwerf from Mark Fernelius & Linda Vanderwerf; Heritage Bank; Rice Memorial Hospital Materials Management Department; Church of St. Mary; Sons of Norway Fedraheimen Lodge 59; Willmar Senior High Key Club; American Legion Auxiliary Post 167; Willmar Area Senior Citizens Club; Center Point Energy employees & matching funds; on behalf of youth services staff of youth partial hospitalization, youth day treatment, home-based services and family community support services of Woodland Center; Willmar Rotary Club; from Anthony & Mary Amon as a gift of gratitude to their partners and families: Lyle & Alvina Munneke, Mike & Laura Morris, Kevin & Linda Switzer, Dennis & Denise Peterson, Alan & Allison Roisland, Andrew & Kay Lee Hoffmann and Rachel Green.