In the middle of the agricultural building where the annual charity sets up, dozens of volunteers check parents in and verify names and family size of recipients before the visitors are allowed to choose books and toys for their children at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Brandon and Jennifer Anderson look over books for a daughter who is a voracious reader at the Christmas Bureau, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Volunteer Mary Ann Fritchie, right, chats with a recipient at the check-in desk at the Christmas Bureau, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. There is no means testing to receive toys, books or food vouchers at the Bureau, but names and addresses are taken as a way to keep records of who has been served. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Jeff Anderson, center, exits the toy rooms with a giant stuffed unicorn and other toys waiting to be bagged up at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. He and his wife have four children to buy for. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Barbara Johnson, left, age 76, guides her mother, Millie Holmes, age 99, from the check-in desk at the Christmas Bureau, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Although the Bureau is focused on giving books and toys to children, adults can receive a small grocery voucher and a pair of gloves or a hat, if available. Johnson, said her mother, at 99, still loves to get out and travel around the city. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Christina Gardner, David Keyes and Kim Keyes harmonize on Christmas carols on the stage at the Christmas Bureau, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. A variety of musicians will entertain the waiting crowd at the Bureau each day. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Volunteer Dean Duncan, right, carries the chosen gifts of Chantal Reagan, left, and her daughter McKindly Reagan, 2, from the Christmas Bureau, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. McKindly was especially enamored of the toddler bicycle chosen for her on the Bureau’s first day. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Lindessa Svoboda, center, clutches a giant teddy bear at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Although Svoboda came to help choose presents for younger siblings, she was, at 16, young enough to receive a toy and she chose the bear from a pile of giant teddy bears donated during the annual Teddy Bear Toss, a tradition at the Spokane Chiefs game. “It’s going to be my pillow,” she said. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Millie Holmes, age 99, takes a seat on her walker after checking in at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Although the Bureau is focused on giving books and toys to children, adults can receive a small grocery voucher and a pair of gloves or a hat, if available. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Volunteer Dean Duncan, left, offers a stuffed bear to McKindly Reagan, age 2, who is held by mother Chantal Reagan, center, in the bagging area at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. The stuffed toys come from the Teddy Bear Toss at the Spokane Chiefs game. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Parents Gordon McCalister and Ashley Zimmerman let their daughter Leela McCallister, age 2, ride her chosen toys out of the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Some parents take their children to the Bureau’s toy room, where kids are allowed to help choose their own gift, making it hard to pry from them once chosen. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Volunteer Reesie Smith, center, waits to help young parents carry their chosen Christmas gifts to the checkout area at the Christmas Bureau Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, the first day of the annual charity, which will be open (except for Sunday) through Friday, Dec. 20. Parents can choose a single, new toy for each of their children, ranging from infant to teen interests. Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
The toy room was busy and lines were long Wednesday as people ventured out on snowy roads for the first day of the Christmas Bureau at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.
The Bureau provides books, toys and food vouchers to families who find themselves in need of a little help to provide a good Christmas for their family. Catholic Charities, Volunteers of America and The Spokesman-Review collaborate to put on the Bureau each December. It will remain open every day from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Dec. 20, excluding Sunday.