NATCHEZ &045; Donations continue to be collected for this year’s Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, a fund organized every year by Katherine Killelea.

The Children’s Christmas Tree Fund, started in the early 1900s by then Democrat publisher James Lambert, provides gifts and clothing for hundreds of needy children in Natchez each year. Working with the Santa Claus club, comprised of local businessmen, the fund coordinates donations and culminates its efforts with a gift distribution on Christmas Eve morning, following the traditional Santa Claus Club parade.

Donations to date include:

4Audrey Lynn Byrne, in memory of Frank P. Byrne Sr., Ann Blair Byrne, F.J. Sullivan, W.J. Byrne Sr., W.J. Byrne Jr., Jack P. Byrne and Nell Fatheree Byrne, $100.

4Mr. and Mr.s John Marchbanks, $25.

4Mr. and Mrs. John M. Tipton, in memory of A.C. Tipton Sr. and E.L. Sowell Sr., $50.

4M.A. Jones, in memory of Kenneth Jones, $25.

4Dr. Donald Killelea

4Sally Cardneaux, from Brandy and Madison, $50.

4From Santa and Mrs. Claus 1986 in memory of Richard F. Durkin, $100

4Anonymous, $100

4Joe and Micki Hartley, $50

4Natchez Ballet Academy, $100

4In memory of Bobby Irby from family, $25

4Nell Fitzpatrick in memory of Denise Rodriguez, $25

4Honor USA Major T. Waring Bennett Jr. MIA from Louise Bennett Sr., $100

4Anonymous, $25

4Anonymous, $25

4Byrne Insurance Agency, in memory of W.J. Byrne Sr., Nell F. Byrne, W.J. Byrne Jr., Jack Byrne, Frank P.Byrne, Ann Blair Byrne, Bryan Edwin Byrne, T.J. Sullivan, $100.

4Caroline Stowers, $25

4Edwin Mead, in memory of Herb Mead Sr., $10

4In loving memory of DaDa, Mamie, Granddaddy, Brother, Pa Pa and Dor, $250

4Toys, Anonymous

4In memory of Mimi, Paw Paw Ray and Papa Ken from Meagan, Catherine and Ella, $50

4Mr. and Mrs. Lynn Wirtz, $100

4Mr. and Mrs. John Sanguinetti, in memory of Pat and Alyce Puderer and John and Doris Sanguinetti, $20

4John A. Nicholls III, $50

4Natchez Banking Association, $300

4The Tuesday Day-Time Bridge Group, $300

4Mr. And Mrs. E.W. Martin, $25

4Santa Claus Committee, $1,000

Donations to the Children’s Christmas Tree Fund can be made via The Democrat, P.O. Box 1447, Natchez, Miss., 39121, or to Killelea at Brown Barnett Dixons, 511-515 Main St., Natchez, Miss., 39120. All gifts will be acknowledged in The Democrat.