Despite the deep economic uncertainties in 2022, Wish Book readers generously donated more than $900,000 to the Mercury News’ annual holiday campaign, making a big impact on their neighbors who faced even greater challenges. “This remarkable result is a testament to the power of local journalism partnered with the generosity of our community members,” Bay Area News Group Publisher Sharon Ryan said. Wish Book and Share the Spirit, its sister campaign in the East Bay Times, raised a combined $1.5 million, marking the third consecutive banner year that donations have topped seven figures. Donations ranged from a few dollars to $100,000, with many Silicon Valley companies providing matching funds. One story that particularly captured the attention of readers detailed the plight of Mariana Garmash and her two young boys, who fled war-torn Ukraine and found themselves in a gap as refugees without refugee status so were unable to receive certain federal services. That’s where Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley stepped in, and readers fulfilled the agency’s $30,000 “wish” to support its program to provide housing and food assistance, counseling services, and school and camp