“Brenda Thorn has lots to manage at Good Cheer, but she says she can handle it with the staff of seven and many community volunteers.Jim Larsen, staff photoBrenda Thorn has been promoted to manager of Good Cheer effective immediately, it was announced this week by Jim Hartley, president.Thorn has been assistant manager for the past four years. She succeeds Tom Harris, who died Oct. 2. As assistant manager, Thorn has been in charge of the Food Bank and bookkeeping for the local charity, which was founded in 1962. She had been acting manager since Harris’ death.Thorn steps into the manager’s job heading into the busiest time of the year as needy families sign up for Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets and donations start pouring in from the community.It’s been kind of crazy, but it’s going to work. We have an incredible crew, Thorn said Thursday. She works with seven paid staff she calls the magnificent seven, and a number of community volunteers. We can always use more volunteers, Thorn said.Families in need started signing up for holiday assistance this week. All are welcome to stop by the thrift store at 114 Anthes Ave. in Langley. Thorn anticipates 180 families will be helped at Thanksgiving and 210 at Christmas.Employees and management welcomed Thorn to her new position. While Tom Harris’ death has been a blow to the Good Cheer family of volunteers, employees and board members, we are extremely fortunate to have someone of Brenda’s capabilities available to step in as manager, said Hartley. There was no need to look elsewhere. In addition to knowing Good Cheer’s operations and people thoroughly, she is a real ‘people person.’A native of Seattle and later a resident of San Francisco and Los Angeles, Thorn attended Stephens College in Missouri. She is married and has two children.Anyone wishing to volunteer at Good Cheer this holiday season may call Brenda Thorn at Good Cheer, 221-6454. “