For many, bureau is only hope for gifts

Leann Hutt’s kids are only three of the thousands of Inland Northwest children expected to receive help from the Christmas Bureau starting today.

But the 33-year-old Spokane Valley mother said there’s nothing generic about the gratitude her family feels for a program that provides gifts and food she couldn’t otherwise afford.

“I’m a single mom. Their dad is in prison,” said Hutt. “There’s no child support and they want to do the things that everybody else does.”

Last year, when the business Hutt worked for abruptly closed, ending her job, the Christmas Bureau provided new sleds for her 11-year-old twins, Kristin and Anthony, and her 10-year-old boy, Jacob.

“They still have them,” Hutt said. “My kids are very grateful for whatever it is they get.”

More than 10,000 families – including 30,000 people – were helped last year by the annual Christmas Bureau, which begins at 10 a.m. today at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.

“We hear time and time again that these are the only toys their children get,” said Mike Reilly, the volunteer chairman of this year’s effort.

That was the situation for Hutt, who has been searching for work. She has experience as an administrative assistant, a nurse’s aide and a counselor, but finding a position has been hard, especially when employers learn that Anthony has a disease that requires nursing care and hospitalization.

“I’m not working right now,” said Hutt, who receives government assistance.

Although she said she starts scrimping in January to provide modest presents for her kids, Hutt hopes to come away this year with board games and books that her children can share.

“They make their list and they know they may or may not get it,” she said.

That’s a sentiment echoed by Dolores Miller, 37, who plans to join the Christmas Bureau lines today.

Her family, which includes daughter Dixie, 12, and son Bodieray, 10, had to move from their Spokane apartment earlier this year when the lease expired and new managers took over.

They hope to return to Oklahoma soon to join family, but in the meantime, they’re living at a Salvation Army shelter.

Husband Charles Miller, 38, works as a security guard, but money is still tight. Being able to pick up presents for the kids and vouchers for food and other necessities is a blessing, Dolores Miller said.

“They’re wonderful,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the Toys for Tots or the Christmas Bureau, my kids wouldn’t have a Christmas.”