There is one week left to submit nominations for Hoch Publishing Company’s True Meaning of Christmas charity donation. Nominations slowed down this week, but several readers made donations directly to the pool of money that will be given out.

Phoebe Janzen of Florence nominated Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County. She praised the non-profit organization’s work providing mentoring to local children.

Greenwood Stables and Equine Rescue received a third nomination, this time from Bryan Grosse of Marion. He wrote that the horse rescue has rehabilitated and found new homes for 25 horses in six months. He said the group could use money to file for status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to make it easier to help more horses.

Rene’ Starkey of Florence nominated the Florence Public Library.

“I was so excited to learn about this charity event and could not wait to submit my cause,” she wrote. “Our library recently lost two of its computers due to being outdated. They also are in need of building repairs and other supplies that exceed their existing budget. As a small town, we do not have a lot of activity places where children as well as adults can go. Our library is a vital source that would be sadly missed by all if lost.”

Starkey is raising funds for the library at Auntie M’s Diner where she works. But she said the money raised isn’t nearly enough to meet the library’s needs.

Starkey’s nomination was selected in our random drawing Tuesday, so she can pick up a $25 gift certificate at the newspaper office. This certificate is good at businesses participating in our True Gifts promotion.

While the number of nominations declined this week, a couple more businesses have partnered with the newspaper to increase the amount to be given. Carlsons’ Grocery and Marion Health Mart Pharmacy are accepting “Santa Bucks” found in this week’s Marion County Record. For every Santa Buck spent with them, the donation pool will increase.

— ADAM STEWART