They donated money, gift cards, toys, furniture and time — all to make Christmas a little brighter and merrier for needy families.

Hundreds of residents, visitors, companies and schools helped raise more than $123,000 for The Advertiser Christmas Fund, while others filled the Community Clearinghouse warehouse in Kalihi to its rooftop with everything from dressers to baby clothes to wrapped toys.

Monetary donations to the Christmas Fund are down significantly this year from previous years. In 2005, the fund raised a record $218,000, nearly twice the total so far this year. In 2004, nearly $180,000 was donated to the fund, and $145,500 was raised in 2003.

Despite the drooping donations overall, there were plenty of individual stories of generosity. Two donors gave $1,000 each to families, while The Advertiser's "Secret Santa" pledged to match the first $25 of each donation. The donor has matched donations for a decade.

MOM, DAUGHTER TEAM

Tricia Tatham and her 7-year-old daughter, Christine, donated 100 percent of their sales at a Le Jardin craft fair to the fund.

When they sent in their $244.98 to the Community Clearinghouse, they included a letter for The Advertiser, which read in part: "Here are our checks from the wonderful people who purchased our products.

"Next year, we plan to coordinate something that will give much more."

A 56-year-old mom who lost her job in 2005 also felt compelled to donate, even though she only barely makes ends meet. She said her grown daughter is homeless and struggling with an addiction.

"I am making this donation as much to help my daughter as those in a similar position," the woman wrote in a letter to The Advertiser. "I hurt, for her and for those people in your articles."

'BLOWN AWAY'

Holly Holowach, program manager at the Weinberg Village Waimanalo transitional shelter, said her clients get much merriment out of the generosity of those who donate to the Christmas Fund.

The joy sticks with them long after Christmas is over.

"They're always blown away," Holowach said. "They're always so amazed that they're getting all these wonderful things. Their eyes light up. The kids are just so thrilled. It's definitely warm and rosy."

If only, she added, people were so generous the rest of the year.

The Christmas Fund has been around for more than half a century. In addition to raising money for families to have a Christmas, it helps the Community Clearinghouse give to needy families year-round.

The nonprofit, which spends very little of its donation money on operating costs, helps families in financial trouble with rent payments or utility bills or food. It also provides needy kids with school supplies.

"Every day, we're open," said Maria Chomyszak, Community Clearinghouse program manager. "We're talking 20,000 clients a year."

RECENT DONATIONS TO THE ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND

One generous Hawai'i resident, dubbed the fund's "Secret Santa," is pledging to match the first $25 of each donation. It's a pledge he's made every year for more than a decade. Last year alone, he donated $36,000.
Castle & Cooke Hawaii — $1,000
George and Jen Goda and grandchildren Mackenzie and Kiana — $500
Sixth-Grade Service Project Bourdlaies Group: Sami Thompson, Kiana Stenberg, Coburn Hopkins, Michael Jenkins, Kari Lundgren, Nolan Endicott, Keanu Chee, Michele Uemoto, Patrick Bowling, Danny Braun — $280.80
Ellen S. Mann — $200
Kevin and Florence Thompson of Salem, Ore. — $200
Ronald and Susan Choy, in memory of Robert H. C. Choy and in honor of Carolyn Choy — $150
Sharon O'Hara-Katres and Jennifer Katres — $150
Dr. and Mrs. Robert Bonhan — $100
G. and Y. A. Family — $100
Carl and Erin Higgins — $100
Barry and Jean Kuramoto — $100
Kristi, Kean and Karissa in memory of Nicki Kotani — $100
Robert Reckendorf — $50
Colette Robello and Thomas Nishimura — $50
James Smith — $50
Ele Taira, in memory of Douglas, Makie and Nell Hayashida — $50
Rosalie Young, in memory of C.H. Young and Mabel Young — $50
Steven Haugen and Tom Page — $35
Dana Ann and William Enoka — for Dad for Christmas — $25
Patricia Elser Gillespie — $25
Mary Lemonnier — $25
Jane Leong — $25
Mark and Diane Lierman — $25
Stanley and Ella Mae Lum — $25
Mark and Stacie Matheson — $25
Pokey and Spunky — $25
Nancy and Garman Pond — $25
Mark and Mary Marlene Rivad — $25
Tyler and Yvonne Takehara — $25
Harry and Leatrice Shinno — $20
Anonymous — $500
Anonymous — $300

Total: $ 4,360.80
Previous total: $ 119,114.82
Total to date: $123,505.62