Free gifts available for needy in Hillyard area

Free holiday gifts for low-income families living in the Hillyard community are available until Dec. 23 through the Kids Christmas in Hillyard toy fund.

Families with children between the ages of 1 and 12 can receive vouchers for the gifts by registering at the Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) clinic in the Northeast Community Center.

Gifts are distributed at the Bank of America at 3009 E. Olympic Ave. Parents can choose gifts in the bank’s lobby Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The gifts are sorted into age and gender categories, and ribbons and wrapping paper are provided.

Hillyard resident Clyde Decker started the Kids Christmas in Hillyard toy fund after helping with CHAS’ gift drive three years ago, a drive that gave toys to more than 83 children in 35 families. Decker began soliciting donations and collecting gifts for the toy fund during summer 2004.

More than 300 gifts were distributed to Hillyard children that holiday season, and Decker hopes to provide gifts to more than 500 children this year.

Decker’s sister, Seattle resident Bonnie Tibbles, donated $1,100 to this year’s fund. Robert Allen of Kirkland and Decker’s daughter, Bonnie Roscoe, also are major contributors. Many donations of $10 to $20 for the toy fund were collected from local businesses during the year, and a collection jar at the Hillyard Festival brought in $11 in change.