Last Friday, we lost one of the original Santa Claus Fund volunteers.

Known to most as just Tom, our friend Thomas Elliott Jr. passed away doing what he loved best, volunteering.

Tom has raised more money for our kids than any other volunteer. He raised thousands of dollars by calling on the local business community. They all recognized Tom, and when he came through the door, they knew he was going to put the touch on them.

But nobody could say no to old Tom. He built many friendships over the years with the businessmen and women who always enjoyed seeing him during the holiday season.

He was as good a salesman as there ever was. He helped us raise money when we cooked hamburgers and hotdogs in front of Wal-Mart. He was there when we stood out in the cold raising money in front of Renys and Grand City. He went with us to the Windsor Fairgrounds to meet with the United Bikers of Maine on their annual Toy Run.

Even as his health was failing, he said to me, “Dave, I’ll go out and get you some more money tomorrow.” And I’d say, “Tom, we will do fine, you take care of yourself.”

But he still went out and did what he could, all the while apologizing for not being able to do more.

— It was quite a day at the annex Friday, with the lastminute letters hitting a highwater mark.

We filled requests for 77 children: that’s 41 boys and 36 girls, bringing us to 448 kids to date, almost evently split between boys and girls.

That was a sudden jump in the numbers, but not unexpected. I think people have procrastinated a little more this year. But we can manage, and by Monday, we will wrap up for another season.

We worked Saturday for only the second time in my tenure as chairman. The volunteers were willing to give of their time. They are very dedicated and have never let me down.

— We have a gift certificate from the Brunswick Variety and Deli worth $25.

Julie Richards delivered an assortment of toys including a floor puzzle, Uno card game, Old Maid Card game, an assortment of books, a hooded sweatshirt and some jewelry for the girls.

Another anonymous donor gave us an estimated 25 pair of knitted mittens. The Library Book Store donated six children’s books. Mid Coast Hunger Prevention volunteers collected toys that included a Jenga game, a battleship game, a memory game, a spin-art craft item and two creative craft kits.

I also want to thank the management and employees of Target in Topsham for providing cardboard boxes for packing toys. Each morning they were ready for our volunteers when we came knocking. Thank you for helping us again this year.

— We received several donations today. Peggy, Gary and siblings donated $50 in memory of those we lost this year, Theresa, Donna, Judy, Patty and Rita; $30 from Bud & Jean Aumick; $25 from Dot’s Ice Cream Shop; $100 from Henry’s Catering LLC; Bill Giroux, $5; June & Dave Dorion, $100; The Blueberry Hill Nursery School, $369; Teri & David Labbe sent $25; $50 from Loretta & Louie Ward Sr., in memory of Dorothy and Michael Kenopensky, Lewy Ward Jr., Cameron Black and Dustin Winn; $50 in memory of Carol Lancaster from husband Dick and the family; $50 from Gilbert & Carol Schneidewind; $100 from Kateri Costain in memory of Judith Costain Walsh; $100 from Nancy & J. Lockwood Chamberlin; $100 from David & Evelyn Desmond; $25 from anonymous; $100 from Margaret Burroughs; $50 from Patricia Robinson; $150 from Dill & Kitty Paiste; $50 from Rachel Bernier; $114.65 from Springer’s Jewelers; $50 from Now Your Cooking Inc.; $25 from The Bath Printing Co.; $50 from Bath Hair Inc.; $50 from Cahill Tire Inc.; $50 from All Secure Self Storage/Coffin’s Garage; $100 from Brandon & Kristen Cahill, in memory of Charles & Maxine Cahill; $10 from Susan Lubner; $10 from Paperback Trader; $10 from Richard Lessard; $20 from OMO Construction; $25 from Mateos Hacienda; $100 from Bill’s Garage Inc.; $100 from Coastal Metal Fab Inc.; $50 from InTown Shop; $100 from David Desmond Funeral Services; $50 from J.R. Maxwell & Co.; $25 from Country Farm Furniture; $25 from ETC Finery; $25 from Kennebec Tavern; $60 from Moore Painting; and $20 from Larry Wooton.

In addition, we received a special gift from Wilson’s Drug Store, for $1,000. Located on Front Street in Bath, Wilson’s is one of the few remaining independent drug stores, and has been a strong supporter of the Santa Claus Fund for years. We want to thank John and his employees for this wonderful gift.

I wish to extend my sincere thank you for everyone’s generosity and kindness. Your help today added up to $3,598. That is a fantastic day for the Santa Claus Fund.

We now have a running total of $27,122 — very close to our $30,000 goal.

— If you would like to donate and help us out, just mail a tax deductible donation to The Santa Claus Fund Inc, at P.O. Box 278 Brunswick 04011. I will publish your donation as soon as we receive it.

See you tomorrow, right here in the Times Record.

THE SANTA CLAUS FUND reports are contributed by coordinator Dave Desjardins, known as “the head elf.”