Staff report

A large $1,000 donation and a child’s penny jar were among the donations this week that drove the Cheer Fund balance to $11,698, up $3,000 for the week.

That’s still nearly $30,000 short of this year’s $40,000 goal, prompting fund officials to issue a plea for help.

&uot;While most of us eagerly anticipate the holidays, there are many parents in our community struggling to get by who dread them,&uot; News-Herald publisher Andy Prutsok said. &uot;They dread Christmas morning, having to see the sorrow in the eyes of their children because they have no gifts from Santa.

&uot;You can help them and yourself by making a donation. Please awaken the charitable spirit that exemplifies our community and give what you can.&uot;

Prutsok particularly thanked Sleepy Hole Council member Linda Johnson and her husband Jesse, for their $1,000 donation; and the Suffolk Ruritans for $500.

While not the largest, but perhaps the most special, donation this week was $17.50 from young Kristi Peace, who saved pennies throughout the year and donated them in memory of &uot;Bubby&uot; Nathan Peace.

&uot;There are so many kind and generous people and organizations in Suffolk,&uot; Prutsok said. &uot;It’s really heart-warming to see it.&uot;

Donations to the Cheer Fund should be sent care of the Suffolk News-Herald, P.O. Box 1220, Suffolk, Va., 23439, or can be delivered in person to the News-Herald at 120 S. Saratoga St., Suffolk.

Listed below are contributions received the week of Dec. 5:

Anonymous, $10; Nansemond Isle of Wight Sunday School Union, $50; Jefferson and Joanne Bagley, $25; Linda and Jesse Johnson Jr., $1,000; Sunrise Circle Cypress Chapel Christian Church, $50; Suffolk Ruritan Club, $500; Saunders Properties, $100; City of Suffolk, $200; Suntrust Bank, $250; Dr. R.R. Harrell III and Mrs. Pear Harrell, $100 to honor the life of Rob Harrell; First Federal Savings Bank, $100 in memory of Maxine Statkus and Alan Polson; Mary Lee Powell Prayer Circle of Hillcrest Baptist Church, $125 in loving memory of Jean Walker; Pat, $15 in memory of Bob; Imperial Crescent Club, $50 in memory of deceased members; Peggy’s Sewing Corner, $75 in memory of Ken Thomas; S.S. Webb Jr., $100 in memory of Jimmy, Johnny and Laura Boswell; Kristi Peace, $17.50, in memory of &uot;Bubby&uot; Nathan Peace; and Anonymous, $75, for Sam, David and Patrick.