Thanksgiving Gifts Span The Generations

Sat., Nov. 25, 2000

Lynn Gibson Special To The Val

Thanksgiving gifts come in all shapes and sizes and, apparently, all ages too.

Longtime Valley residents Tim and Edna Ralph are grateful for five generations of extended family, including three children, seven grandchildren, 21 grea-tgrandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild, now six months old.

Tim, the family’s patriarch, was born in 1912 in Spokane. Edna was born in Coeur d’Alene in 1924. They married in 1941 and raised their daughters in Spokane and Spirit Lake, Idaho. Edna worked for the East Valley School District until her retirement in 1985. The whole family celebrated Thanksgiving together in Coeur d’Alene.

Blankies for babes

Lori Hankel of Veradale has started a local chapter of Binky Patrol, a national nonprofit organization that creates and distributes handmade blankets to needy babies and children.

Founded in 1996, the patrol has delivered more than 75,000 blankets to youngsters in shelters and foster care, and those who are abused or born with drug addictions.

Hankel is seeking local volunteers to create the blankets and raise funds for expenses. “No sewing experience is necessary,” she said. “A volunteer only needs an open heart, a needle and thread and a desire to help kids who have some very special needs.”

All ages are welcome to attend an upcoming organizational meeting. Blankets will be distributed through local hospitals and shelters, such as the Vanessa Behan Crisis nursery. For information, call Hankel at 927-4197.

Girl Scouts honors top volunteers

Girl Scouts Inland Empire Council recently honored two Spokane Valley volunteers from the University area, for their exemplary service to the organization.

Rose Coalson received the Outstanding Volunteer Award for “cumulative years of service beyond expectation,” said Janet Davis of the Girl Scouts Council. Pat Dempsey received the Angel in Green Award for her outstanding work as a day camp site director last summer. The Girl Scouts Council also announced new board members, including Ann Koedding of Mica; and Kathleen Burgard of the Spokane Valley.

The Council serves more than 4,300 Girl Scouts in Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

Valley artist showcased at Yuletide 2000

Don’t miss a chance to oogle and purchase stunning ceramic creations by Valley artist Liz Bishop, on display at Yuletide 2000 holiday arts and crafts fair at the Spokane Art School.

The free, indoor festival is Thursday to Dec. 3, at 920 N. Howard. Smith will give a ceramics demonstration on Dec. 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For fair hours, call 328-0900.

Benevolence in the background

Kudos to the staff and students of Ponderosa Elementary School for their behind-the-scenes altruism.

Since 1993, the group annually collects food and creates Thanksgiving baskets to be given to needy families of students attending Contract Based Education, an alternative high school in the Spokane Valley.

Each year, the baskets help feed approximately 30 families, according to Kit Latta, a teacher at Contract Based Education.

“The great staff and community of Ponderosa Elementary never asks for, nor receives, much recognition,” said Latta. “However, the food that they donate helps our students so greatly. I cannot thank them enough.”

Ladies who lunch

Women can celebrate the season during a Christmas Holiday Luncheon and Silent Auction, Dec. 4, hosted by the Suburbanites Club. Festivities begin at 11 a.m. at the Spokane Club, with proceeds to support local charities such as the Valley Food Bank, Salvation Army and Spokane Valley Center. Tickets are $20, available by calling 926-7264.

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