Treva Lind

As a daily bedtime ritual for her two young children, Crystal Morlan sits on the floor between their beds and reads to them. Cultivating a love of books for her daughter and son is a priority for Morlan, 24, so with the Otis Orchards resident’s recent trip to the Christmas Bureau, she snatched up the books “Time To Count” and “Baby Einstein-Let’s Go.”

Reardan resident K. Baumgartner grew up hearing family stories about a life-saving heart surgery nearly 70 years ago for his aunt, Carol Lee Davis. What he didn’t know until this Christmas season is the connection between that story and The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. In 1946, the second year of the fund, regional donors raised nearly $6,000 to pay for the operation for little 8-year-old Carol Lee, called a “blue baby” because of her heart condition.

Steve and Theresa Lamp’s plans for a Christmas at home got crushed, literally, when a 90-foot-tall pine destroyed their North Spokane house during the Nov. 17 windstorm. The tree that broke through the roof also landed 8 feet from where Steve Lamp rested with the family dog. His wife, who was away at work, said she’s just thankful her husband escaped unharmed. She also dismissed any hardship.

Christmas Bureau organizers invited comfort dogs to bring smiles and ease any anxiety for people who line up to verify paperwork and receive food vouchers, before selecting books and toys for their children.

Winters always pinch the budget for Spokane resident Kendra Hawthorne, who carefully eyed toys Thursday at the Christmas Bureau for her four children. “I’m especially grateful for this because in the winter, electricity bills are up; I have two kids with birthdays in the winter,” said Hawthorne, who usually has a caregiver job but is temporarily out of work.

Fourteen a capella singers will spread holiday cheer for the Christmas Bureau’s opening Thursday, part of the musical group’s 12-day tour. The Dartmouth College singers, who perform as X.ado, are mainly traveling to Seattle for the season’s performances but included three days this week in the Inland Northwest, thanks largely to its musical director’s local ties.

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.

Head to toe, Brenda Parker will wear holiday bling galore while working eight days as a greeter at the Christmas Bureau. Two felt reindeer will sway on her headband. She’ll wear bright holiday sweaters and elfish shoes with bells on her toes, all with the hope to bring smiles. She’ll also offer up plenty of hugs, and a dance or two to live Christmas music.

Dan Sullivan loved everything holidays, but the Christmas Bureau meant the most to him. The 69-year-old volunteer died shortly after last year’s event.