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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Recipient who went into early labor praises workers at Christmas Bureau

As Rebecca Gauna waited in line at the Christmas Bureau on Friday, she thought the cramps she felt were just pains common to pregnancy. She isn’t due until Jan. 19.

Then the contractions worsened. After 20 minutes, Gauna was too uncomfortable to stay long enough to choose a book and toy for her 4-year-old daughter, Annalea Lucas, or receive a $20 food voucher.

“I started having horrible contractions and I thought I was having my baby,” she said. Bureau workers brought her a wheelchair and offered to call an ambulance, but Gauna opted to ride with a friend to the hospital, where medication stopped her early labor.

“Everybody there was so amazingly awesome,” she said of the caring volunteers at the Christmas Bureau, where needy families can select a book and toy for each child, and receive a $15 to $30 food voucher to buy food for a holiday meal.

“I felt like I was around family for some reason. If I had had my baby there, she would have been so taken care of and so loved.”

The Christmas Bureau, which is organized by The Spokesman-Review, Catholic Charities and Volunteers of America, has served 5,378 families and provided toys for 10,219 kids so far this season.

Just over halfway through its nine-day run and well over halfway through this season’s fundraising effort, the Christmas Bureau needs to raise $525,000. To date, it’s received $216,085 from 568 donors, compared to the total of more than 1,700 donors who gave $582,402 last year.

There’s still time to donate, with any amount appreciated and used carefully. The charity relies on about 400 volunteers who keep costs low, ensuring about 96 percent of money raised directly pays for the books, toys and vouchers given to families like Gauna’s.

She’d heard about the Christmas Bureau a few years ago when she turned to Catholic Charities for help as a single mom living on disability and child support.

“They gave me parenting classes, newborn classes, clothing, diapers and just amazing counseling,” she said. The services, she believes, have helped her stay clean and learn how to be a good mother and provide for her family.

She now works part time and hopes to go back to school, determined to take care of her girls as best she can.

“It’s hard being a single mom, when you try to do everything you can for your kids and you can’t seem to get ahead. Money is really tight. Everything keeps going up in rent and clothing and food,” she said, her voice catching. “It helps to know that you’re not alone, even though that’s sometimes how you feel.”

Gauna found that same caring attitude from the volunteers at the Christmas Bureau. With labor stopped, she felt well enough to return Saturday to pick out a toy and book for Annalea.

The doctor, she said, thinks the baby is healthy, though large at about 8 pounds, especially since Gauna is only 4 feet 11 inches. She was grateful that she didn’t have to wait in line the second time.

“It was so nice. I spoke with Judy. She was the sweetest lady ever. She gave us a ticket where if we went back we didn’t have to wait in line. We asked for her and they attended us right away,” said Gauna, describing how she picked out a washable owl that her daughter can color and decorate again and again.

“They put a smile on my daughter’s face,” she said.

“When I was on my own, without kids, I didn’t care about the holidays, but now that I have my daughters, it means the world to show them that there are a lot of kind people. I just want her to have a good Christmas. My daughter is going to have a wonderful Christmas.”

New donations

The Few family, of Spokane, gave $4,854.70 via PayPal. “We are so thankful for the opportunity to help our neighbors in this area. May God bless each and every one of you that organizes this and receives these gifts. Our prayer is that every recipient be blessed with a healthy and happy Christmas!”

The Spokane Regional Plan Center gave $2,500. “Since 1994, the Spokane Regional Plan Center and its members have been proud to donate to this most worthy cause,” wrote board chair Paul Zasada. “All one needs to do is read the paper each day to see that the needs of those in our community are great; and every donation is vital for the Christmas fund to meet their goal of providing a happy holiday for those less fortunate. We appreciate the dedication of all those who make the Christmas Fund a reality. It epitomizes the true spirit of Christmas giving.”

Michael Altringer, of Spokane, gave $2,000.

Wray and Linda Farmin, of Spokane, gave $1,000, as did Justin and Tamie Voelker, of Spokane Valley.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $509.

Dennis and Janice McMann, of Newport, gave $500, as did Steve and Rene’ Goebel, of Nine Mile Falls.

Mary and Bob Eckenrode, of Spokane, gave $500. “Instead of giving Christmas gifts to our children, we have contributed to the Christmas Fund for several years,” they wrote. “Our family is grateful for the contribution this fund provides for so many children in our community. Thank you to all the volunteers and generous donors who make it possible.”

Tek Manufacturing Inc., in Spokane Valley, gave $500.

An anonymous Chattaroy donor gave $425. “We love what you do. We save for this all year!” they wrote.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $400 in memory of her husband, parents and sons.

Mary Lou and Peter Bach, of Spokane, gave $400. “Thank you for all the great work that you do,” they wrote.

Nancy Edwards, of Spokane, gave $300.

An anonymous Spokane Valley donor gave $300 in memory of her husband. “Thank you, your volunteers do a wonderful job. Merry Christmas to everyone,” she wrote.

Pete and Cheri Johnson, of Spokane, gave $250, as did Virgil Duchow.

Spokane donors giving $200 were Marvin and Helen Soehren, Russ and Kathy Mager, Sue DeFoe and an anonymous Spokane donor who gave in memory of Joanne Robinette.

Beverly Honeycutt, of Spokane Valley, gave $200 in memory of her husband, Bill Honeycutt.

Christine Carroll, of Spokane, gave $150. “I am truly blessed in my life and grateful for family, friends and health. I wish to pay it forward to all who are having a difficult time,” she wrote.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $130 in memory of Patti Fowler.

Gary and Judy Spangelo, of Cheney, gave $100, as did John and Carole Benz, of Coeur d’Alene.

Mike and Norma Sullivan, of Colbert, gave $100. “Thank you so much for all of the good that you do,” they wrote.

Neil A. and Roberta A. Green, of Mead, gave $100. “We believe the Christmas Fund is genuine proof that Spokane is a caring community,” they wrote.

Sandra Czernik, of Medical Lake, gave $100. “Thank you for spreading the joy and happiness you bring to so many families at Christmas,” she wrote.

Kristina and Glenn Jacklin, of Rathdrum, gave $100.

Spokane donors giving $100 include Elinor Iverson, George and Barbara Stevens, J. Paul and Sharma Shields, an anonymous donor, Leah Taylor, Les Hunt, Mark and Marcy Majeski, Maryann Drewniak, and Nancy and Scott Stowell.

Bill and Pamela Cunz and Paul and Melanie Delaney, of Spokane, gave $100 in honor of Herb and Jeanette Cunz.

Harry Meader, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of his wife, Cherie. “Thank you for helping those in need have a merry Christmas.”

Joe and Carolyn Schauble, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their parents, Robert and Mary Schauble and Carl and Edna Magee.

Mr. and Mrs. Tomas Bryan, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of John Koger.

Phyllis Eide, of Spokane, gave $100. “I’m glad to contribute to the wonderful work of the SR Christmas Bureau,” she wrote. “God bless to all who will have a happy Christmas because of Spokane’s generosity!”

Verna Winton, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of Marvin Winton, who was a longtime supporter of the Christmas Bureau.

Carole Lippman, of Spokane Valley, gave $100, as did Don and Marilyn Lippman.

Amy and Bob Lutz, of Spokane, gave $72.52.

Charles and Donna Pierce, of Cheney, gave $50.

North Star Lodge, of Coeur d’Alene, gave $50.

Robert and Marilyn Keen, of Liberty Lake, gave $50 in memory of their daughter Mindy Ledbetter, who died in February 2014. “She always loved Christmas,” they wrote.

Barry Newberry, of Spokane, gave $50. “God bless! Spread the joy and love to all,” he wrote.

Spokane donors giving $50 include James and Janet Jarrell, James Funke and Jean Flechel.

Marlene Westhoff, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of her husband, Weiner. “Thank you for your service,” she wrote.

Thomas Latimer, of Spokane, gave $48.25.

Spokane donors giving $25 were Betty Thompson, Janice Stewart and an anonymous donor.

Curt and Mary Jo Lorenz, of Chattaroy, gave $20, as did an anonymous Spokane donor and Father George Morris, of Spokane.