Santa’s big helpers prepare Christmas Bureau for opening

A pink Sweet Treat Kitchen required some assembly, so Gonzaga Prep student Kendall Brock, 17, wrestled the task Tuesday with power tools. The toy joined some 17,000 gifts being set up for the Christmas Bureau.

Brock got assistance from Freeman High School junior Helen Forman, 16, who handed over kitchen sections as he read instructions. Both students were part of large Freeman and Gonzaga Prep groups at the first setup day for the bureau, which opens Thursday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

“It’s almost like we’re setting up a store for people at Christmas who can’t otherwise afford it,” Brock said. “It’s pretty cool.”

A total of 120 volunteers, including large employer groups, quickly unloaded trucks and ushered boxes of toys into high-rise stacks inside the Expo Annex building. In one inventory area, boxed sets of Junior Pro Basketball stood 10 high and five wide, not far from stacked games of Sorry and Monopoly.

Alma Longhurst, 17, said Freeman sends National Honor Society students to the setup every year. “We have about 30 people usually,” she said. “We’ve been unloading trucks, sorting the boxes, stacking the toys. It’s a small sacrifice for us, but it makes a real difference for the people who come to the bureau.”

The large-scale operation impressed Gonzaga Prep’s Mason Plese, 18.

“It’s amazing how many toys they’ve brought in,” he said. “They’re helping people who can’t afford Christmas. It’s for a good cause.”

Thousands of children’s books were scheduled to arrive later in the day. On Wednesday, volunteers will fine-tune operations to prepare for serving about 9,000 needy families, arriving during the nine days the bureau is open through Dec. 19, except for Sunday.

Each family can select one toy and one book for children, and they receive a $15 to $30 food voucher to apply toward a holiday meal.

“Today is like organized chaos,” bureau coordinator Judy Lee said.

“Our key leaders are doing a fantastic job organizing all the volunteers.”

Another large group volunteering Tuesday came from Astellas Pharma, including 11 employees. Denise Timothy, a Spokane-based corporate account specialist, has volunteered six years for the bureau and recruited colleagues this year.

“Our company gives us five days a year to volunteer,” Timothy said. “This is the most people we’ve ever had come from different states and divisions. I just wanted everyone to see this. I travel a lot and I’ve never seen any community do anything like this.”

The Christmas Bureau is made possible because of generous donors. A tradition for the community since 1945, the charity today is run by Volunteers of America, Catholic Charities Spokane and The Spokesman-Review. This year’s goal is to raise $525,000, and recent donations nudged the total so far to just over $111,000.

Recent donations

Longtime Spokane donor Hotstart Manufacturing Inc. gave $10,000.

Rial R. and Don Moulton of Moulton Wealth Management Inc., of Spokane Valley, gave $5,000. “At this special time of year, and especially for our precious little ones, we are so happy to once again help with such a worthy case. For our wonderful clients and our very special mother, Rial, Don and everyone at the Moulton Financial Center hopes this small token of our gratitude for all God’s gifts helps others better enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas!”

Kristianne and John Blake, of Spokane, gave $2,500.

An anonymous Hayden donor gave $1,000.

Gary and Jo Ann Owens, of Spokane, gave $1,000.

An anonymous donor from Post Falls gave $1,000 via PayPal, with the note, “Anonymous gift in loving memory of Al & Lilian Rudolf who taught me the joy of giving.”

The Association of Retired Avista Employees Spokane gave $706, writing that the total included checks from “Association of Retired Avista Employees, $646; Robert A. Albers, $10; Wm. Phipps, $50, in memory of Shirley Phipps.”

Nancy Parker and Jim Renga, of Spokane, gave $500, noting, “Donated in honor of Nancy’s parents, Robert and Jeanne Parker.”

Michael Flannery and Dean Lynch, of Spokane, gave $500.

Judy Boyer, of Spokane, gave $300. “Please accept my gift to help all of Spokane families to have a blessed season!”

Ralph and Deb Prouty, of Spokane, gave $300.

The Backus family, of Spokane Valley, gave $300, writing, “Our donation this year is given in loving memory of our dear friend Bob Snodgrass. May we all remember the true meaning of this season and carry the spirit of giving throughout the year.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $275 and noted, “Merry Christmas. Thank you for organizing the Christmas Fund.”

Bev and Jud Heathcote, of Spokane, gave $250, writing, “Keep up the good work!”

Neil and Brigid Krause, of Spokane, gave $250.

Steven Swartley, of Spokane, donated $200.

David Ficca, of Spokane, donated $200.

Tim Hatlen, of Spokane, gave $200 via PayPal.

Paul Grubb, of Spokane, gave $200 via PayPal.

Denise R. Mutschler, of Cheney, donated $150.

John and Donna Leaming, of Spokane, donated $150.

Jean Jalufka, of Spokane, gave $150 with note, “In honor of Paul Jalufka.”

James Dallen, of Spokane, gave $150 via PayPal.

Michael and Doreen Lewis, of Spokane Valley, gave $139. “Many thanks to everyone involved with the Christmas Fund.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $125.

William F. Johnson, of Heron, Mont., gave $120.

Robert and Carol Lingow, of Greenacres, gave $100, writing, “In memory of our daughter Carrie.”

Cyrus McLean, of Spokane, gave $100.

Tim and Julie Carlberg, of Spokane, gave $100 with the note, “Merry Christmas!”

Sherry and Jeffrey Murr, of Spokane, gave $100.

Chris and Kim Walko, of Spokane, donated $100, writing, “In memory of Robert Stephan. He always took care of others.”

Jean Rose, of Spokane, gave $100.

Clifford Rankin, of Spokane, gave $100.

Bud and Lynda Bowman, of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “Thank you for all you do for the less fortunate.”

Bruce and Sharon Anthony, of Spokane, gave $100.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $100.

Sharen Robertson, of Spokane, gave $100 with the note, “In memory of Dave Robertson, husband, and Austin McKenzie, grandson.”

Katherine Harper, of Spokane, gave $100.

William and Donna Harsell, of Spokane, gave $100.

Luella Palmer, of Spokane, gave $100.

Barbara Seim, of Spokane, gave $100.

Douglas and Marilyn Rider, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

Mary Cameron, of Spokane Valley, donated $100.

Lee and Kathryn Irving, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

Russell and Susanna Cornell, of Veradale, contributed $100.

Sandra Povich dropped off $100 cash.

An anonymous donor gave $100 cash.

Marcia Downing, of Spokane, gave $100 via two PayPal donations of $50 each.

Carol Motschenbacher, of Greenacres, gave $100 via PayPal, writing, “Terry and Carol Motschenbacher are happy to be able to help children in need. We hope all have a very Merry Christmas!”

Bob Hammond, of Greenacres, gave $100 via PayPal, “Helping someone have a merrier Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Magoo of Greenacres.”

Wednesday Bridge Group, of Spokane, gave $90.

Carol J. Phelps, of Spokane, donated $75.

Dick and Ann Collins, of Spokane, gave $75.

Hans Bynagle, of Spokane, gave $75 via PayPay.

Mark and Linda McFall, of Colbert, gave $50.

An anonymous Liberty Lake donor gave $50.

Gary Fiscus, of Liberty Lake, gave $50.

Evelyn Graves, of Medical Lake, gave $50, writing, “In memory of Wm. H. Graves.”

Gerry Rose, of Spokane, gave $50 and wrote, “Please accept this in memory of my husband, Arlen Rose, to help put a smile on someone’s face.”

Doris Matsch, of Spokane, gave $50.

Barry Newberry, of Spokane, gave $50. “Hello to all. I just wanted to thank everyone who donates their time to this wonderful project.”

Tom and Mary Christensen, of Spokane, gave $50 with the note, “Dear Christmas Bureau volunteers and staff. Thank you for the good work you do! Wishing you and the people you help many blessings this holiday season.”

Dave and Brenda Frederick, of Spokane, gave $50, “In memory of Mike Walter and Deb Praetorius. Thank You.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $50.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $50, writing, “In memory of Cathy and John.”

Nancy Hood, of Spokane Valley, gave $50, noting, “Thanks for helping our community to share with the less fortunate each year.”

Janet Culbertson, of Spokane, gave $50 via PayPal, “In loving memory of my father, Don Culbertson, who always supported my volunteer work at the Christmas Bureau.”

Theresa Schimmels, of Spokane Valley, gave $50 via PayPal, “For my parents, Gary and Myrna Schimmels.”

Jean Kiehn, of Spokane, gave $40.

An anonymous Spokane donor contributed $40.

Larry and Marie Smith, of Spokane, donated $30.

Kourtney Whiteley, of Spokane, gave $30 via PayPal.

William and Gelene Griffiths, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $25.

Bob and Julie Roberts, of Spokane, gave $25.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $25, with the note, “Thank you for your continuing good work on behalf of the area needy.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $25, writing, “Keep up the good work! Hope this helps a little. Christmas blessings to everyone.”

Joyce Thompson, of Spokane, gave $25.

Molly Vollmer, of Spokane, gave $25 via PayPal.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $20, noting, “Wish could give more.”

An anonymous donor gave $20 cash.

LeaAnne, no last name listed, dropped off $10 cash.

Note: For donations made through PayPal, The Spokesman-Review contributed the PayPal processing fee.