Christmas Fund 1997 Donor Thankful For Fund In Her Time Of Need

Katherine called the newspaper Friday to say “Thank you so much” for the gifts she received at The Spokesman-Review Christmas Bureau.

For the gifts, yes, but also for gracious treatment she received at the bureau and for the compassion of all those who donate to the Christmas Fund.

Katherine, who didn’t want her last name used, is disabled and gets around thanks to a wheelchair. She has one child of her own and two adopted girls, all of whom were hospitalized at one time or another this year. One daughter had heart surgery and the other two were laid low with pneumonia.

Katherine may have been down, but she’s not out. Her voice was strong and cheerful over the telephone. Not a trace of self-pity.

“I just want to let people know how helpful” the Christmas Bureau is, she said.

She took the $40 food voucher she received at the bureau to the supermarket, where she was amazed at how full it filled her cart with sale items.

“If people only knew how much it helped,” Katherine said of the voucher. “It may not seem like a lot to them, but every bit helps.

“I can’t say ‘thank you’ enough.”

Volunteers at the bureau also earned Katherine’s praise.

“It’s a humbling experience” to ask for help, she said. “It’s embarrassing. But they were so nice. They didn’t look down on us.”

She also expressed gratitude for the games she received for her daughters. They’re going to be excited to unwrap them on Christmas Day, she said.

And, here’s the clincher to Katherine’s story:

She has been a regular donor to the Christmas Fund over the years.

And this year, when she has so little money?

She donated $5 a few weeks back.

Katherine doesn’t have much, but she wants to share what she does have.

“If everyone would reach deep into their pockets for $5 or $10 …”

, DataTimes