I had an introduction written, but I’m scrapping it for a word on my early morning activities. I woke at 3 a.m., for no apparent reason, and went out to check the temperature. Well, at 25 degrees , a panic came over me that I’d not done enough to winterize the cabin on our property and I knew that I’d never get back to sleep if I didn’t deal with the problem.

I grabbed a hat, mittens and a flashlight and made my rickety way down the stairs, across the driveway and down a precarious path to the “little” house. I turned the heat up a bit and adjusted the water faucets to a good steady drip, hoping to stave off any freezing of pipes.

What does this have to do with our fund? Remember a couple of years ago when the power was out for days and although it wasn’t nearly as cold as it is now, the house feels like ice when there is no furnace or registers working. The people we try to target with this fund might have to choose to heat their house to the exclusion of providing presents to their family. What an awful choice to make; so let’s help lift that burden.

We begin by honoring the many who responded last week, when we received $2,685 for a current total of $4,085. First, our friends at the Seabold Community Club, who have never missed a year in my reckoning, sent in $125 with a cover note in a card depicting a choir of three darling angel bears.

Also from the north end, $100 and a card arrived from one of my favorite physical therapy buddies. She and her husband have joined us in this annual drive for as long as I can remember.

Our previous contact and now “editor emeritus,” has echoed his annual contribution with $25. The check was with a note, which said, in part, “…I enjoyed working with your Mom – she was a special person.” I won’t argue with that.

Another annual contributor is a civic-minded couple – indeed, as he served at the same time as I did on the Historical Society board, sent $25 for our collection.

Another swing to the north, from Day Road comes a check for $10, a very welcome sight.

A note arrived from a Yeomalt Point resident who was in the same Arboretum group as my Mom. She included a check for $100 and, after noting that she’d appreciated my mother’s sense of humor, wrote: “It was my intent last year to write her to ask if she carried on Katy’s tradition of planting a kiss on the cheek of men donators as she did with my husband each year. I ran out of time, and now it is too late but I knew she would appreciate it.”

Yes, she would appreciate the story and I wish I knew the answer. I doubt she would turn down the opportunity to kiss male donators, particularly if she thought it was funny.

We have a donation of $50 from a couple that gives every year and always include a note of thanks. Along with the mention of my mother, they offer the donation “in living memory of our good friend, John Crane.” I cannot think of a dearer person to commemorate and mark the memorial with special warmth.

A couple from Sands Road that has joined us every year, once again added to our roles. They gave $1,250 with a note thanking all the elves for making “so many Christmases bright.” The elves could not do it without the wonderful support of friends like you!

The next thank you goes to another couple, again a shout out to Yeomalt Point, who take an active and regular part in the Christmas drive, this year sending in $100 with a post-it note saying, “almost forgot.” Seems to me that you remembered in very good time!

North from Yeomalt, we encounter Manitou Beach and two more regular donors. A gift of $75 is a welcome addition to our efforts.

A note, including a $100 check, arrived from Baker Hill. It said, in part: “I’m so sorry about your Mom. We lost ours in 2007 and miss her every day. At least we had moms who were also our friends. I’m truly sorry for your loss.” Thank you, and I am truly sorry for yours. We have been extraordinarily lucky to have been friends with our moms, and the grief that burdens us now is a small price to pay for the joy and friendship that we’ve shared.

A well-known island name, tagging a couple on Wyatt, accompanies a check for $500. Our fathers had been good friends and your family made my Dad very welcome when he came to the island after World War II.

A woman on Murden Cove Drive sent in $125 for the fund. Her name makes me think of a lovely place and a special time in San Francisco.

Wrapping up this week’s thanks, we acknowledge a note from a woman who, with her husband, donates to our fund each year. This year, $100 accompanied a note of thanks to me. My part is easy. Many elves have to work harder than I. The real thanks go to each and every one of the donors who make our task a possible one.