Vouchers put dinner on the table

If past years are any indication, more than 9,000 families will go to the Christmas Bureau for the fixings of Christmas.

But before the bureau opens for two weeks every December, volunteers send food vouchers to several hundred needy people unable to make it to the bureau. This year, volunteers sent $15 vouchers to 286 people, several of whom have sent thank-you notes.

“I posted several thank-you notes at the bureau today,” said bureau coordinator Karen Orlando.

One read: “I want to thank you for the gift. I need so many things. I went to Safeway at Shadle and got lots of groceries, things I will be eating at Christmas. I should have shared my sales slip and then you can see what I bought with your money. I will have a better Christmas dinner.”

“Most of the notes expressed the same sentiments,” Orlando said.

Many needy families find out about the Christmas charity from posters that volunteers distributed in late November. Orlando said the notices were posted in all the neighborhood centers, Salvation Army, YWCA, Union Gospel Mission, the Indian Community Center and every school in the Mead, Spokane and Valley school districts. “We had one volunteer who even posted notices in Metaline Falls,” said Orlando.

The bureau distributed food vouchers worth $22,734 Monday to 767 families. Christmas items were distributed to 1,286 adults and 1,237 children.

The bureau will be open through Friday. The Christmas Fund, which pays for this charity, will welcome donations of any size through Dec. 30.

Donations of $14,943.92 have boosted the Christmas Fund to $174,346.44. This year’s goal is $500,000.

The following are donations and the donors. See Page B2 for a story about more Christmas Fund donors.:

Northwest Farm Credit Services, of Spokane, sent $2,500. “Northwest Farm Credit Services is very happy to be able to contribute again this year to help those less fortunate in our community. Thanks for the opportunity to help with this very worthwhile fund-raiser,” wrote President and CEO Jay Penick.

An anonymous donor of Spokane gave $750. Judy and Phil Camp, of Spokane, donated $600.

The Goertz family donated $400. “Our mother was a longtime supporter of this great cause and she passed away last month. In memory of her we would like to give $100 for each of her grandkids,” wrote Cheryl, Bob and Jerry Goertz.

Providence Services, of Spokane, donated $500.

The Southside Newcomers, of Spokane, sent $400.

An anonymous donor of Spokane sent $350.

Loretha Hitchcock, of Spokane Valley, gave $300, as did Roger and Kathleen Chase, McVicars & Associates, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Eris Heggem, of Spokane Valley, gave $250, as did Robert Matteucci, of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, of Veradale.

The Querna family, Kit, Christie, Betsy, Katie and Emily, of Spokane, donated $200; as did John Obde, Joyce Stefanoff, Ruth Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pilcher, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

An anonymous donor of Spokane sent $200 in memory of John Wyrick.

Belles and Bells Quartet, of Spokane, raised $200 by playing a number of concerts during the season, and sent it to the Christmas Fund.

Earl and Virginia Schoer, of Spokane, donated $150, as did Peggy and John Hasstedt, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Peggy Eberly, of Spangle, donated $150 in memory of her husband, Lee Eberly, and as a Christmas gift to her children and grandchildren.

Robert and Judy Lee, of Spokane, gave $150 in memory of Gramma Cass, Grampa, Kenny and baby Austin.

In what has become a tradition in their dental office, Kris, Jackie, Delinda, Tracy, Carole, Terra, LaRea, Sandy, Shelly and Andrea donated $150 to the Christmas Fund instead of a gift for their employers, Dr. Jeff Marchall and his wife, Laurie.

The Colt Lane Investor’s Club, of Spokane, gave $105.