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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Treva Lind

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News >  Spokane

Donations to Christmas Bureau hit slowdown

Each day’s mail delivers promises of Christmas giving for more than 9,000 needy families, but last week’s regional U.S. Postal Service delays have slowed a usually steady stream of donations to the Christmas Bureau. Incoming mail slowed considerably Wednesday and Thursday, likely part of widespread regional mail delays following recent damage at a Postal Service mail storage facility at Spokane International Airport.
News >  Spokane

Sudanese refugee is both a donor and recipient at the Christmas Bureau

Fawzia Nour, a refugee from Sudan, knows about the Christmas Bureau as a recipient, but now she’s also a donor. An English as a Second Langue (ESL) student, Nour was one of a group of Spokane adult education students who raised $165.78 for the charity this week, each contributing what they could afford. The students who ran the collection are enrolled in ESL and GED classes through Community Colleges of Spokane’s Institute for Extended Learning.
News >  Spokane

The line formed early for the Christmas Bureau’s opening day

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.
News >  Spokane

A capella singers brighten Christmas Bureau

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.
News >  Spokane

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.
News >  Spokane

Joy of first Christmas present sparks a lifetime of giving by Spokane woman

Growing up as a child of the Depression, Barbara “Bobby” Stevens didn’t get Christmas presents. That changed around age 12, when she received her first holiday surprise. Now a regular Christmas Bureau donor, the 92-year-old Spokane resident vividly recalls that treasure, a shiny makeup compact given at Christmas by a nearby charity. She grew up poor among 11 children living in abandoned military barracks in Westport, Wash.
News >  Spokane

Warm hearts give so Christmas Bureau attendees can have warm hands

Thousands of adults who arrive at the Christmas Bureau each year are just there for their kids. They’re grateful for holiday gifts so their children can have a brighter holiday during otherwise tough times. The families also receive a $15 to $30 food voucher toward a holiday meal. While those adults don’t expect much for themselves, some extra warmth is heading their way this year. It’s tucked into a new project, called “Gloves of Love.”
News >  Spokane

Christmas Bureau volunteer knows firsthand a little help can go a long way

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.
News >  Spokane

Christmas Fund: Donors sweeten holiday season

Thanks to some area businesses, the Christmas Bureau will be a little sweeter this year. Licorice and candy bars for kids will be given along with toys and books to about 9,000 needy families. Inland Northwest Albertsons-Safeway stores donated about $2,000 worth of confections for the first time.
News >  Spokane

Christmas Fund: Search for toys begins in January

Toy buyers for the Christmas Bureau do their homework. Nimble and quick, a bit like Santa’s elves, they research favorites and try to judge what gifts will delight an older teenager alongside the best toys for toddlers.
News >  Spokane

Longtime Christmas Bureau leader works for literacy

Marilee Roloff knew a year ago that “Peanuts,” “Star Wars,” and princesses would reign for popular holiday children’s books, so she bought such titles early for the Christmas Bureau. Buying books for kids is a role that Roloff, 64, relishes. So is distributing them; the CEO of Volunteers of America works each year at the bureau at the book table.
News >  Spokane

Library cards a new offering at Christmas Bureau

A child’s first library card can launch the gift of lifelong reading. At this year’s Christmas Bureau, librarians plan for the first time to offer on-site issuing of library cards for both the Spokane Public Library and Spokane County Library District.
News >  Spokane

Donors get 2015 Christmas Fund off to a good start

Most years, the Christmas Fund makes its goal. A few times, it hasn’t. Last year, for example, the fund hadn’t reached its goal of $525,000 by Christmas day, falling some $15,000 short. In the waning days of the year, 68 new donors stepped forward to bring the total to $531,164.12.
News >  Spokane

Christmas Fund has raised nearly $15 million since its inception

A community Christmas gift to the Spokane area’s neediest citizens is marking its 70th year. What started as The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund in 1945 has delivered a decades-old tradition of giving toys and holiday extras to the area’s poorest families. It’s an event made possible because of generous donors, many of whom say they want to see that every child experiences the warmth and joy of Christmas.
News >  Spokane

The Dirt: Newtech Skills Center gets $9 million upgrade

Another phase of construction at Newtech Skills Center is scheduled to start next week to modernize the facility’s original structure. Newtech, 4141 N. Regal, offers career and technical training for about 700 students from regional school districts. Construction will remodel about 29,000 square feet in Newtech’s single-floor building.
News >  Spokane

Miracles flow both ways at the Christmas Bureau

Months before holiday decorations adorn shopping malls, Christmas Bureau volunteers have been at work. They’ve lined up a wide assortment of toys and books for more than 9,000 needy families and arranged for the $15-$30 vouchers that recipients can use to buy ingredients for a holiday meal.
News >  Washington Voices

New EV superintendent is home again

Kelly Shea knew by the time he was a teenager that he’d work in education. In a bit of a homecoming for the 51-year-old who grew up in Spokane Valley, Shea began his new post July 1 as East Valley School District superintendent. “I made a conscious decision when I was 16 years old that I wanted to be a teacher, because of the coaches and teachers I had,” Shea said. “They had expectations for me.”
News >  Washington Voices

Spokane bridge club draws more than 70 weekly

More than 70 players queue up weekly in north Spokane for Ellie’s Bridge Club, a nod to the group’s director, Ellie Lund. The Wednesday sessions held at Country Homes Christian Church are an unlikely draw for Lund, who 12 years ago told a sibling she lacked the brain power to learn the strategy card game.