By John Johnston
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A grateful Greta Brandon looks forward to using the washer and dryer she received through the Enquirer's Wish List.

Find Wish List stories at Cincinnati. Com. You can even donate online

But she figured she'd be making at least one more trip this week to her neighborhood laundromat. The day before her new washer and dryer were delivered, a pipe in her basement broke, causing sewage to back up.

"So right now, the washer and dryer is sitting in my dining room," says the 45-year-old widow from East Walnut Hills. Three of her six children live at home, and Ms. Brandon also cares for three grandchildren. Ages range from 4 to 17.

The Wish List, in its 17th year, is sponsored by the Enquirer and administered by United Way. Stories of disadvantaged people are told in the Enquirer, and readers respond with cash and in-kind donations.

As of Tuesday, the latest figures available, 1,551 donors had given $130,882, which means this year's donation amounts are ahead of last year's. Two days later in last year's campaign, on Dec. 26, 2001, 1,624 donors had given $125,872.

Despite her flooded basement, Ms. Brandon hasn't lost her sense of humor. At the thought of another trip to the laundry, she chuckles and says, "This will be our going away party."

It's been almost a year since her old washer and dryer died. Since then, she's been walking to the neighborhood laundromat with children in tow. Recent operations on both her knees make it difficult to maneuver.

With the new appliances, "It'll be so much better. My time will be planned better. We can wash while we do homework, or I can wash while I'm preparing dinner." And there will be less of a drain on family finances, says Ms. Brandon, who works part time at St. Francis de Sales School in East Walnut Hills.

Students at Holy Trinity School raised the money for the washer and dryer, and more.

"We chose Greta and her family because we recognize the great responsibility that she has taken upon herself by raising her grandchildren," says Mary Jo Puglielli, a teacher at Holy Trinity, which includes a junior high in Newport and elementary school in Bellevue.

"As educators, we see more and more grandparents raising their grandchildren. Our hearts went out to her and her family. We wanted to help."

Ms. Puglielli has been helping students and school staff organize fund-raisers for the Wish List for more than 10 years. The effort started at St. Michael School in Bellevue. This year the school merged with St. Bernard and Holy Spirit schools to form Holy Trinity. Altogether, about 300 students raised $3,000.

Students plan to will present the family with others gifts in January.

After wishes are granted to people profiled in the newspaper, all remaining Wish List money is distributed to social-service agencies so other needy people can benefit.

Donations are still being accepted. Call the United Way Helpline, (513) 721-7900.

E-mail jjohnston@enquirer.com