LEWISTON – To get into the spirit of giving this year, you could watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” one more time. Or you could take in the story of Gloria Donahue and her missing pocketbook.

Last weekend, someone stole the 79-year-old’s purse while she was working at Ronnie’s Vegetable Stand on Lincoln Street. Inside the pocketbook was medication, personal papers and $600 in Christmas money.

A story about the theft appeared in the City edition of the Sun Journal on Friday. And not long after the paper hit the streets, people were calling to ask how they could help or they were dropping off donations at the newspaper.

“Just call me angel,” one woman wrote, in a note wrapped around a $100 bill. The note was anonymous, with instructions to give the cash to Donahue.

“People can be such stinkers,” said another woman who donated cash. She had read the story about the theft and recalled the time her pocketbook was snatched. That woman got her purse back eventually, but she remembers the despair.

Several other people who called the newspaper wanted to know how they could send a check to Gloria. One woman decided to go with a money order because she wants the anonymity impossible with a personal check.

“My husband and I discussed it and decided it was the right thing to do,” that woman said.

In all, nearly a dozen people contacted the Sun Journal on Friday seeking to contribute.

The pocketbook was stolen on Saturday, Nov. 20. Donahue said she left it in a shopping basket at the front of the store while beginning her shift.

Inside the pocketbook was $600 in cash that Donahue planned to spend on Christmas shopping for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. When asked about it by a reporter, Donahue said she would like her purse back, with or without the money.

She could not be reached for comment Friday.

Most people who called the newspaper said they believe it would be ridiculous for Donhaue to curtail her Christmas shopping because of the thief. They were sending donations to Donahue at Ronnie’s Vegetable Stand at 536 Lincoln St. in Lewiston.

Business owner Rick Belanger said he will make sure Donahue gets all donations, which shouldn’t be hard – Donahue still worksthere between 30 and 40 hours each week.

Police, meanwhile, are investigating the theft. Anyone with information is asked to call 784-6421.

One woman who called to make a donation said she was disgusted by the theft. However, just like the people who rallied around James Stewart in the classic Christmas story, she had not lost all faith in humanity.

“Around here,” she said, “you still find more good people than bad.”