Sometimes numbers that appear gloomy actually conceal a glint of good cheer.
An example: During the 2010 holiday season, people donated $57,326 to Extend a Hand, the charity sponsored by The Bellingham Herald to help needy people in Whatcom County.
The money helps low-income residents keep their rental housing, through programs at the Opportunity Council, and helps people obtain medical prescriptions at Interfaith Community Health Center.
Alas, donations to Extend a Hand fell to $44,228 for the holiday season that just ended. With unemployment still high, it's not surprising that donations were down.
But numbers from the Opportunity Council, which tallies the money, show that Whatcom residents remain a generous bunch.
Three holiday seasons ago, there were 439 donations to Extend a Hand, averaging $95.
During the 2010 holidays, the number of donations fell to 409, but the average rose to $140.
For the recent holidays, the number of donations fell again, to 363, but the average donation was $121. What's more, the number of $500 gifts this season topped the number from the year before.
Interestingly, the gap between this season's $44,000 total and the previous season's $57,000 high-water mark can be accounted for by two very large donations that didn't materialize this year, as they had before, and two other donations that, while still sizable, were smaller than before.
I'm not finding fault. I know money is tight.
I also know that people helped by Extend a Hand appreciate the support, and that Whatcom residents and Herald readers continue to dig deep to help others. Thank you.
FANTASY A REALITY
Last week, I reminded readers that the Herald wants to publish your love poems for Valentine's Day and your limericks for St. Patrick's Day.
Those aren't the only outlets in the newspaper for your creativity.
Last year, six residents took turns writing chapters for a six-part adventure story set in the county. This year, we plan to use the same serial approach to a fantasy story.
Numerous people have asked to help write the fantasy, but you have until March 1 to apply, and I'm not choosing the six writers until the deadline closes.
Once the project begins, each writer will have one week to write a chapter of up to 800 words, based on prior chapters already finished. If you're interested in giving it a try, send your name, contact information and samples of your writing to dean.kahn@bellinghamherald.com.
One caveat: You can't be shy, because we plan to photograph the six writers.
Questions? Call me at 360-715-2291.
FAIR'S FAIR
If nonfiction is your game and, like me, you're old enough to remember, the Herald also welcomes your recollections of the Century 21 Exposition, better known as the Seattle World's Fair.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the fair, which opened April 21, 1962, the Herald plans to publish county residents' remembrances and photographs.
You can email your photos and stories to me, or bring them to the Herald Building, 1155 N. State St. We can scan your photos and return them to you later.
The deadline for submitting fair items is March 30.
