Christmas Cheer Fund Inc.

01/21/2026

What can we say but thank you?

In the second year of its rebirth, the Christmas Cheer Fund was again a success. And it was appreciated by those you helped.

Notes of thanks were received from North Iowans in a seven-county region who you gave an extra bit of holiday joy. Nearly, 1,500 households received Target gift cards for a special holiday meal, warm clothing, help with raising children and grandchildren.

We held successful fundraisers, received healthy donations from foundations, and welcomed support from several businesses. The core group of donors will always be the hundreds of individual and families who annually remember the Cheer Fund in their giving.

New events were born in 2025. Berlin Iles, a Mason City High School junior, had a pie-in-the-face fundraiser. This type of effort is what the Cheer Fund needs to be sustainable. If the charity, which was created 1927 by Globe Gazette Publisher Lee Loomis, is to survive, younger generations must find it worthy and support it.

Please help us get the word out as we begin planning the 2026 Christmas Cheer Fund campaign.

Donations are accepted throughout the year for the 2026 Christmas Cheer Fund on our website, christmascheerfund.org

Are you a business that will accept a donation box? Are you a venue that will sponsor a fundraiser? Will you share our mission with family and friends? Would your club or organization allow us to speak to you about the Cheer Fund? Would you consider being a volunteer in 2026? If so, contact us at [email protected]

Thank you also to Doug Hines, editor of the Globe Gazette, who published news of the campaign’s story updates and donation lists.

Most written updates have contained this sign off – “In gratitude”.

And we are indeed grateful. It is a privilege to continue the work of this charity on behalf of our neighbors in need.

In gratitude,

The 2025 Christmas Cheer Fund Board of Directors:

Jane Reynolds, president; Lauren Heuberger, vice president; Rosann Boyle, secretary-treasurer; Amy Fleming, board member; Karen Jacobs, board member

Donations received: $88,837.65

Goal: $100,000

Donations as of Jan. 15, 2026

Sukup Family Foundation, $2,000

Susan & Rodney Simmons, $25

Anonymous, $1,000

Maggie in memory of Jerry, $100

In memory of Dr. Bob Johannesen, $50

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Women of the ELCA, Mason City, $100

Mason City High School “Pied’ Fundraiser, $250

Fareway, Mason City, $250

Three on the Tree Coffee & Cafe, $120

Grandma Sugar’s Cupcakery, $100

01/08/2026

The “Pied” event at Mason City High School raised $250 for the Christmas Cheer Fund. Choral director Ethan Pruisman won the contest and enjoyed a pie in the face for a good cause. In the photo, from left, Cheer Fund student representative Berlin Iles is with Cheer Fund secretary-treasurer Rosann Boyle, and MCHS principal Dan Long
“So many students came together for a good cause,” Berlin said. “This program does great things for our community and I am so glad I got to help out this year.”
Thank you Berlin and MCHS!

01/06/2026

Shop at Mason City Fareway. Support the Cheer Fund.

12/31/2025

There's still time to donate

The Christmas Cheer Fund is accepting donations for its 2025 campaign through mid-January to bring us closer to the $100,000 goal.

Donations may be mailed to Christmas Cheer Fund, P.O. Box 28,
Mason City, IA 50402 or give electronically on our website christmascheerfund.org

Thank you!

12/30/2025

CHRISTMAS CHEER FUND DONATIONS --- Dec. 28

$84,932.65 (As of Dec. 28, 2025)
Needed to reach goal: $15,067.35

Tom Blomme, $50
Victoria Young, $50
Dean & Karen Jurgens, in memory of our parents and siblings, $100
Susan Haynes, in loving memory of my mother, Alice Haynes and father, Stanley Haynes and brothers, Chris and Peter, $50
North Iowa Community Credit Union, $250
Tom Abbas, Floyd & Leonard Auto Electric, in memory of Leonard Herman and MaryAnn & Lorenz Daleske, $100
Kent Brcka, Henkel Construction, $250
Mike & Susan Shannon, in memory of family members no longer with us, $100
Terry Tyrrell, in memory of Mickie Tyrrell, $25
Nancy Carroll, $500
Dennis & Beverly Currier, Merry Christmas! $25
David & Alice Christiansen, in honor of our parents, departed siblings and other loved ones, Happy holidays to all! $50
Anonymous, $50
From Larry & Cindy, in memory of Jim Deshler, $25
Anonymous, $100
Joe & Darlene Behr, $500
In memory of Tom & Howard, $200
David & Lori Ricken, in memory of my sweet mom, Marvyl Buehner, $200
Cheers to the Epiphany Butterflies, $25
Steve, Mary & Alyssa Wendt, in memory of Glennis and Doris Steiger, Elmer & Marge Wendt and Catherine (Steiger) Meyer, $100
Melode and Howard, in memory of Marion and Harry Andersen and Lena and Safford Lock, $50
Dianne M. Jarosh, $25
Steve & Vicki Wolfe, in honor of Kristi Kay, $100
William & Denise Martin, in memory of loved ones, $50
J and L in honor of our grandkids, A,B,C and D, E and K, C. $70
Marge Hahn, in memory of husband, Larry, and other loved ones that passed this year, $50
Anonymous, $3,000
Marlene Oswood, in memory of my husband, Wayne, and our parents and loved ones, $100
Cindy and Betty Chizek, in memory of our parents, Clarence & Irene Chizek, for all our special Christmas memories, $50.
Pamela & Joseph Rowe, $100
Richard & Sharon Walsh, in memory of Katelyn Halloran, $50
Gene Schinnow, $35
From the Schissel family of Dougherty, $50
Mark & Jan Feustel, in memory of loved ones, $100

12/30/2025

It was all in good fun for a good cause

Getting "pied" for the Christmas Cheer Fund was a project of Berlin Ilies, Mason City High School student representative for the 2025 campaign.

Five teachers were part of the fundraiser, and whoever collected the most votes (in the form of money contributed to the Cheer Fund) by the Dec. 23 Winter Assembly agreed to get creamed for the cause.

Ethan Pruisman, director of choral activities at MCHS, won the toss with 172 votes out of a total of $250 collected.

Other teachers who participated and were also winners for the Cheer Fund were Kerri Foley, Dan Long, Brian DeGabriele, and John Lee.

"I was glad I was the winner," Pruisman said, "because it helped raise a good amount of money for a wonderful cause."

12/30/2025

Ethan Pruisman, director of choral activities at Mason City High School, takes a pie in the face Dec. 23 for the Christmas Cheer Fund. Happy to do the duties is Berlin Iles, student representative for the 2025 Cheer Fund and creator of the fundraiser.

12/29/2025

Thank you North Iowa Community Credit Union!
Your $250 donation to the Christmas Cheer Fund shared holiday joy and kindness.

12/23/2025

Cheer Fund instills charity

Many North Iowans grew up with the Christmas Cheer Fund and contribute today as a lesson in giving from their parents.

One donor wrote, “I grew up with the ‘Empty Stocking’". My parents made sure every year us siblings learned to appreciate the meaning of the picture. I have never forgotten it.”

If you’ve looked at our Facebook and website page lately you will see a new colorful logo is being used. We have not abandoned the “Empty Stocking” and it will always be a part of the Cheer Fund’s long history. However, after the transfer of the Cheer Fund to a new all-volunteer board, a break from the past was needed.

The Christmas Cheer Fund does more than fill a child’s stocking with small gifts and toys. The notes we receive from applicants rarely ask for toys as several organizations help supply these for children. The notes do ask for food for a holiday family dinner, extra money for a new coat or other winter gear.

Santa sent a note to the Cheer Fund “elves’’ recently. The generous donation was signed, “Santa in memory of loved ones.” We all know Santa has a huge heart for children of all ages.

We are getting closer to the $100,000 goal. The Cheer Fund accepts donations into the new year. Please donate by mailing your gift to Christmas Cheer Fund, P.O. Box 28, Mason City, IA 50402 or give electronically on our website, christmascheerfund.org

North Iowa, thank you for your caring support.

Happy holidays from the Christmas Cheer Fund board: Jane Reynolds, Rosann Boyle, Lauren Herberger, Amy Fleming, and Karen Jacobs.

Thank You Clear Lake Evening Lions Club Posted onDecember 2, 2025December 2, 2025 The Clear Lake Evening Lions Club continues its support of the Christmas Cheer Fund in 2025. Accepting the $500 donation from Jason Bradshaw, club president, is Jane Reynolds, Cheer Fund board president. Read More Than...

12/23/2025

Christmas Cheer Fund donations — Dec 21

Donations received so far: $78,552.65 (As of Dec. 21).

Needed to reach goal: $21,447.35

Charles J. Walker, $100

Marty & Carol Ramaekers, in memory of our parents, Gary Grimmond, Katie Lashbrook, Tom & Eileen Ramaekers, $500

Joe & Val Buttweiler, $50

Derek & Rua Arnold, $100

Lynne Scribbins, $250

Linda & Dan Anderegg, $25

Jennifer Overbeck, $100

Bruce & Jeanette Long, Merry Christmas! $100

Alan & Joni Opheim, in memory of Earl & Shirley Opheim, $100

Kim & Richard Cory, in honor of Whitney and Annabelle, $50

Val Sliger, in memory of Addison Wyborny, $100

Louise Kaufman, $50

Steve & Tracy Murphy, in memory of Bob Murphy, Pat Murphy Bjerke, Bill Bjerke, Matt Murphy. Wishing all our North Iowa friends a Merry Christmas, $100

Blake & Nancy Barnes, $100

Jody Clemens, in memory of Grandma LaVonne, $25

Sheryn Drewelow, in memory of loved ones, $200

Jan & Tom Lovell, $350

Pamela & Leroy Miller, $30

Marty & Nancy Hjelle, in memory of our loved ones, $100

Patrick & Valerie Hamilton, $100

Joyce Nielsen, in honor of Jack Nielsen, $50

Daniel & Vicki Jackson, $100

Roger & Lee Walston, $25

Anonymous, $250

Jim & Cheryl Nesbit, $25

Michael & Janet Borcherding, $100

Sherry Kinney, $100

John Sheehy, in memory of Teri & Amy Sheehy, $100

From: Erika, Elizabeth and Alexandra, $100

Larry & Barb Pierson, $25

Kristin and Karin Buehner, in loving memory of our stepmother, Marvyl, $50

Anonymous, $100

Anonymous, $101

Becky Murray in memory of Chris; Chad and Jon, in memory of Dad, $50

Dave & Sue Kingland, in memory of Clarence & Mavis Deardeuff, $100

In loving memory of Gene & LaVonne Smidt, from Karl & Sherrie Johnson, Nikki, Rachel and Morgan and families, $50.

Women of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Rockwell, Merry Christmas! $200

Santa, in memory of loves ones, $1,000

Joyce V. Mills, $30

Stanley Tweeten, in memory of loved ones, $100

Tom & Marilyn Hanna, in memory of loved ones, $100

Dean Brcka, in memory of Frank & Marguerite Brcka, $100

John Helgren, in memory of Joel Helgren, Mom and Dad, $300

Dennis & Becky Thoms, $100

Vivian Lavonne Leach, in loving memory of Harold Leach, Freda & Merrell Ziegler, Emma Leach, Karl Haake, Anna Haake, Shauna Jones, Glenyce Loomer, Lillian Cholett, Lawrence Pavek, Katie & Dick Fox, Nellie Lunde, $200

Ed Enright, in memory of children, Mark and Rachel, $100

Jacque & Mick Keyser, in memory of Darcy Kownacki, $100

Judy Kramer, in memory of Larry Kramer, $100

Jim Cash, $100

Anonymous, in memory of loved ones, $200

L. Gene Gallogly, Merry Christmas to all! $30

First Presbyterian Church, Woden, $200

12/19/2025

THANK YOU, NORTH IOWA AND BEYOND

Donations swelled this week for the 2025 Christmas Cheer Fund campaign.

Donations received so far: $72,811.65 (Dec. 16, 2025)
Needed to reach goal: $27,188.35

Several donors who live from coast to coast and points in between have contributed to help our North Iowa neighbors in need at holiday time. Their connection is not always known but is sometime related in an “in memory of” notes.

Since the Cheer Fund has been existence since 1927, many who grew up here make it a point to donate each year. That’s a testament to the Cheer Fund’s vitality and longevity and a reason why the new all-volunteer board decided to resurrect its good will in 2024.

Earlier this week, Fat Hill Brewing held a Christmas Trivia Contest with proceeds to the Cheer Fund. It was a fun and festival time with $510 raised. Bravo.

Next week at Mason City High School, a staff member will face a pie at the school’s Winter Festival. Berlin Iles, MCHS junior and Cheer Fund board member, is spearheading the project.
One of the following teachers with the most monetary votes wins the privilege to get “pied” for the Cheer Fund: Dan Long, Kerri Foley, John Lee, Brian DeGabriele, and Ethan Pruisman.

Watch for coverage of the event from Berlin.

Cheer Fund containers continue to collect donations at Grandma Sugar’s Cupcakery and Three on a Tree in Mason City, both in Mason City.

The giving doesn’t stop Jan 1. Fareway in Mason City is sponsoring a Roundup at the Register the week of Jan. 4.

Can North Iowans conquer the $100,000 goal? A valiant effort is being made. Thank you for your generosity.

With gratitude,
Jane Reynolds, Christmas Cheer Fund board president

12/19/2025

NEW DONATIONS TO CHRISTMAS CHEER FUND – 12-20-2025

Donations received so far: $72,811.65 (Dec. 16, 2025)
Needed to reach goal: $27,188.35
T
Tomson Family Foundation Trust (O. Jay & Pat Tomson), $6,000
Mark & Linda Sabin, in memory of Mark’s parents Arthur & Liza Sabin, Mark’s brothers, Paul and Duane and Linda’s parents and sister, $2,010
Hilary Reynolds D.D.S., P.C., $1,000
Fat Hill Christmas Trivia Contest, $510
Doug & Lora Jenson, $500
Bertha Stebens Foundation $3,000
Kathy Stephens, $100
Jamie & Nancy Zanios, in memory of our dear departed son Thomas J. Zanios -- may his memory be eternal, $100
Jane & Phillip Lee, in memory of Melba Matson and our parents, $500
Leroy & Ann Millard, in appreciation of Jane Fischer, $100
Merry Christmas, in loving memory of: Ardyce, Harold and our beautiful sister Becky Jo, from John, Ellene, Ronda & Alex and family, $100
Iota Chapter, Alpha Delta Kappa, $100
Julie Birkedal, in memory of Phil Birkedal, $500
Dianne Cahalan Salling & family, in memory of John J. Cahalan, $100
Mason City Clinic, donation from its “Denim Days,” $114
Steve Smith and Pam Schaefer-Smith, $100
Mason City Noon Kiwanis Club, $186
PEO Chapter KX, $225
Barbara Johnk, $100
Mark & Doreen Marzen, in loving memory of Nic Marzen, $300
Susan & Gary Gerdes, in memory of Greg Gerdes, $25
Heartland Asphalt Inc., Mason City, $1,500
Lois Crooks, in loving memory of daughter, Tammy and husband, Marvin, $50
David & Jan Dorenkamp, $40
In memory of Helen & Lester Meske, from their family, $30
Duane & Robin Tabbert, $100
In loving memory of our son, Jayme, $100
Mary Helen & Doug Meyers, in memory of Mike Pedelty, $50
Larry & Rose Fitzgerald, $100
Steven & Lori Mathre, $25
Greg & Patty Held, in loving memory of parents, Chuck & Bernie White, Bill & Alta May Held and our little sister, Lisa Held Loreth, $200
Dorothy Hestness and family, in memory of relatives who have passed on, $50