The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund exists because of the generous donations of the newspaper's readers and area businesses. From Thanksgiving to Dec. 30, the paper accepts donations and publishes articles listing everyone who participates.

Then, through the expert coordination of Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America, the money is used to open The Christmas Bureau for two weeks in December. The money buys thousands of high-quality toys in January when prices are low. The charities coordinate to gather and train more than 200 volunteers who help make the bureau run smoothly.

Needy families can come to the bureau, held at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center (404 N. Havana) to pick out a toy and a book for each of their children for Christmas Day. In addition, each household receives a grocery-store voucher to stock the cupboards for the holidays.

The result is an opportunity for people in the greater Inland Northwest community to take care of their less-fortunate neighbors. It's a vast undertaking, and one that hopes to make the holiday a bit brighter for those in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I donate?

Donations may be sent to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 516, Spokane, WA 99210; delivered to the lobbies of Spokesman-Review offices in downtown Spokane (999 W. Riverside Ave.) or Coeur d'Alene (608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200).

Can I donate online?

Yes you can. Just click on the PayPal button at right, and you'll be able to choose an amount to donate via credit card. If you choose this method of payment, a small percentage goes to PayPal for Internet billing services. When you send in a check to The Christmas Fund, as described above, none of the donation goes to processing.

If you'd like us to send you a receipt for your donation, make sure to include your mailing address in PayPal's comment box. If you'd like a receipt via e-mail, just include a valid e-mail address. In either case, we won't share your information with anyone or use it for any other reason. And feel free to use the comment box to tell us anything you'd like.

How do I qualify?

There are no income specifications for Bureau recipients. Anyone who thinks they need the help can get it as long as they meet ID requirements:

• Adults must bring photo ID for themselves and every person living in the household older than 18, plus their latest utility bill or rent receipt showing their name and current physical address for all adults. (No PO boxes.)
• For children, bring a letter from a school or day-care center or a document from a DSHS office or other social service agency verifying each child's name, address and date of birth. Also accepted: A WIC folder.
• Note: Social Security cards are not valid identification for the Christmas Bureau.

Where is The Christmas Bureau?

The Bureau again will be held at The Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, at 404 N. Havana, in the Ag Building.

When is it open?

Thursday, Dec. 9, and Friday, Dec. 10; Monday, Dec. 12 to Saturday, Dec. 17; Monday, Dec. 19, and Tuesday, Dec. 20. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each day.

Which bus routes go to the Bureau?

Spokane Transit Authority bus routes 90, 94 and 33 all stop at The Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

Latest Christmas Fund stories

• Generosity of donors pushes Christmas Fund past goal

  January 1, 2012 in City on Page A1 The Christmas Fund made its goal – and then, for good measure, Spokane-area residents gave a little more. The fund’s final tally for 2011: $531,237.54. Organizers set a goal of …

• Sacrifices big and small speak to Spokane’s heart

  December 25, 2011 in City on Page A1 Merry Christmas to Spokane, from Spokane. Here’s your present: Barbie and her car. A miniature easel, just your size. A doll who laughs when you poke her tummy. A helicopter …

• With large gifts coming in, Christmas Fund nears goal

  December 24, 2011 in City on Page A1 On the eve of Christmas, the Christmas Fund is close to its goal. The fund, which pays for gifts for thousands of low-income residents, now stands at $481,568.60.

• Friends in need and deed

  December 23, 2011 in City on Page A1 Friends for 20 years, Joy Allen and Kimberley Lesky sat together for lunch at the Christmas Bureau one day, taking a break from helping the charity that helps them. They’ve …

• Garco, Landmark match employees’ gifts over year

  December 22, 2011 in City on Page A1 The Christmas Fund is growing closer to its goal, thanks in part to a hefty gift from Garco Construction and the people who work there. Garco’s $20,000 check, which includes … 2

• Toys to the world – or at least to 17,321

  December 21, 2011 in City on Page A1 As the Christmas Bureau closed for the season Tuesday, the Christmas Fund – which pays the bills for the charity – picked up steam. Travis Pattern & Foundry, of Spokane, … 1

• Rookies, old-timers blend well

  December 20, 2011 in City on Page A1 Childhood penmanship-award winner and 30-year waitress Mabe Hunter, 72, submitted handwriting samples to Christmas Bureau organizers in securing a volunteer job. It didn’t hurt – Monday was Hunter’s third day …

• Christmas Fund memorial gifts perpetuate generosity

  December 19, 2011 in City on Page A1 Russell Holliday had a giving instinct. He helped serve meals for people in need. If he saw someone on the street with their hand out, he put something in it.

• Christmas Fund behind last year; gifts still rolling in

  December 18, 2011 in City on Page A1 The good news: The Christmas Fund is more than halfway to meeting its goal to raise $525,000 for the Christmas Bureau, a 10-day, volunteer-fueled event that distributes toys, children’s books …

• Nurturing niche

  December 17, 2011 in City on Page A1 For 10 days each December, Marilee Roloff stands behind the neat stacks of children’s books at the Christmas Bureau, helping to give them away. Like others who stand there, Roloff …

• A gift that speaks volumes

  December 16, 2011 in City on Page A1 Magen Wolfe believes her son can read. But she can’t be sure. Her 5-year-old, Andrin Jason, can identify the “Finding Nemo” DVD even without the cover. He can find certain …

• Russian-born interpreter helps in Spanish too

  December 15, 2011 in City on Page A1 By the time the Christmas Bureau closes its doors each day, Anastasiya Timkina has trouble talking. The Russian, Spanish and English she’s been slinging around – helping person after person …

• Fund edges past $200,000 mark

  December 14, 2011 in City on Page A1 He used to deliver the roast-beef sandwiches. Now he’s a Christmas Bureau volunteer. It takes both kinds of gifts – of time and of commodity – to make the charity …

• CV students collect stuffed toys for Christmas Bureau

  December 13, 2011 in City on Page A1 On the outer edge of childhood, the group of Central Valley High School students who delivered 1,000 stuffed animals to the Christmas Bureau last week connected a bit with the …

• Christmas Fund donations, Dec. 13

  December 13, 2011 in City on Page A10 Thanks to readers’ donations, the Christmas Fund now stands at $184,572.39. The goal is to raise $525,000 by the end of the year, the amount the Christmas Bureau needs to …

• Christmas Bureau clients treated to cavalcade of entertainers

  December 12, 2011 in City on Page A1 Their light-up vests were battery-powered. Their hats were pointy. Their enthusiasm was contagious. Coeur d’Alene’s elf-costumed Blazen Divaz had people standing in line at the Christmas Bureau over the weekend … 1

• ‘Newly poor’ receive timely boost of spirits at bureau

  December 11, 2011 in City on Page A1 Paralegal student Tamra Moore, 42, gets herself and her 4-year-old daughter up at 4 a.m. so she can get to class at 7 a.m. On Saturday morning, they joined the … 5

• Pieces fall into place just in time for Bureau

  December 9, 2011 in City on Page A1 It might have been a minor Christmas Bureau miracle: Costco had on hand all 3,200 batteries that failed to arrive as expected with toys that’ll be given away to children …

• Volunteers unload toys, prepare bureau for opening

  December 8, 2011 in City on Page A1 The “supermarket sets” of toddler-size shopping carts and toy groceries to put in them looked familiar to volunteer Hanna Weathers at the Christmas Bureau on Wednesday. She had the same …

• Christmas Bureau begins to take shape

  December 7, 2011 in City The 2011 Christmas Bureau began to take shape today as semi-trucks full of toys were unloaded by volunteers at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.

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