Mother, son remove the language barrier

Language translators have long been a part of the volunteer corps at the Christmas Bureau. But while there used to be a need for volunteers who spoke Vietnamese, more recently, it’s the Russian-speaking families who need help. This year, a mother-son team staffed the identification table translating for those who speak only Russian or Ukrainian.

Nadia Zagoruyko and her son, Max, immigrated from Ukraine eight years ago. Max was 14, and he and his mother joined his aunts, uncles and cousins in Spokane. Now, Max just graduated from Spokane Community College, and while looking for a job, he and his mother spent two weeks at the Christmas charity.

He remembered the charity, for the mother and son had been recipients at the bureau soon after they arrived in the United States. He said he was enjoying being on the giving end of the effort. “I am meeting people and making some friends,” he said during a break last week at the bureau.

He said about 20 to 30 families a day required the services of a translator. He speaks fluent Russian and Ukrainian.

Nadia said they know a number of recipients, often through their extended family here in Spokane. “Some of the people are from our church,” she said.

The Christmas Bureau served 6,937 families, giving out $209,660 in food vouchers and Christmas toys to 12,272 children. The bureau is closed for the year, but the Christmas Fund will welcome donations of all amounts through Dec. 30.

Donations of $57,731.93 brought the Christmas Fund to $392,325.88.

The following are some of the donations and the donors from Tuesday’s tally (an asterisk denotes an online donation). An additional article can be found on Page A1.

Jennifer, Ryan, Alyssa and Jared Crabtree, of Spokane, donated $100, “hoping it will help other children.”

Bob and Dorothy Yohe, of Spirit Lake, Idaho, gave $100 in memory of Ken Anderson.

Stephen Hegedus, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Lucy and Bob Jydstrup, of Spokane Valley; Steve and Beth Kenney, of Spokane Valley; Eva Simova, of Harrington, Wash.; Gerald and Marla Stephenson, of Spokane; Thor and Martha Kulsgaard and Russell and Kathy Mager, of Deer Park.

The Crystal Chandelier Ballroom Dance Club, of Spokane, donated $100, as did John and Stella Gallagher, Carolyn Takeuchi, Hal Wilson, Mary and Thomas Lacy, James and Susan Lee, and Mr. and Mrs. John Bradley, all of Spokane.

Maurice and Shirley Horlen, of Liberty Lake, gave $100, as did Lee and Kathryn Irving, Barry Borth and Avery Mahffey. Dallas and Corrine Dixon, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Norma Echelbarger, Jeff and Judy Koons, and five anonymous donors, all of Spokane; an anonymous donor, of Mead; an anonymous donor, of Wilbur, Wash.; and an anonymous donor, of Veradale.

Bob and Darla Kidd, of Athol, Idaho, gave $100 in honor of their mom, Maxine Malone, and in memory of their dad, Richard Malone.

Norman and Judy Schmeer, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their parents, Ray and Elsie Schmeer and Lawrence and Sadie Lynch.

Rhea Strate, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of her youngest sister, Ione Zeiler, who died this year. “She is missed so much and was a dedicated grandmother. I know she would want to see all children get a gift this year, hope this will help,” Strate wrote.

Carol and Robert Lingow, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of their mothers, Maida Schmidt and Nettie Lingow. Jeanne Goss, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of her husband, Bill Goss.

Frances Joachim, of Mead, gave $100 in memory of her husband, Milbert.

Anonymous donors, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $100 in honor of their husband and father.

Neal and JoAnn Skaufel, of Veradale, sent $80.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, gave $75.

Donald and Del Ladd, of Spokane, sent $60.

Cleo Fasules, of Spokane, gave $50, as did the members of Trinity Court No. 51 Order of the Amaranth; Theresa and Jeffrey Tuesch, of Veradale; Patricia and Ken Yuhasz, of Spokane; Shelly Diamond; Valerie Klee, of Spokane; Claude Hire and Marianne Iwasa, of Spokane; Charles and Janet Watkins, of Newport, Wash.; and Patricia Gunderson, of Spokane.

Dan and Lloraine Klobucher, of Chattaroy, donated $50, as did Rosemary Morbeck, of Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. John Overdorff, of Otis Orchards; Walter Heitstuman, Arnold and Marian Miller, Edward and Michelle Ring, and three anonymous donors, all of Spokane, an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley; and two anonymous donors, of Cheney.

Bebe Love, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of Dorcas Revelli, “a good friend.”

George and Sheri Ehrlich and Jack and Becky Severinghaus, of Spokane gave $50 on behalf of the 2004 graduates of Ferris High School and their parents.

Marlis, Gary, Connor and Jamie Spawn, of Spokane, donated $50 in honor of the children’s teachers at St. Thomas More School: Mrs. Barnes, Mrs. Green, Ms. Crick and Mrs. Coulter.

Robert and Susan Anselmo, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of Joseph and Elizabeth Anselmo.

Donald Bolling donated $48.25.*

John and Gerianne Hodgson, of Post Falls, donated $40 in honor of their parents, Merle and Helen Hill.

James Caddis, of Spokane, donated $35.

Accrafab Employees, of Spokane, donated $31.68.

Jim and Ellen La Motte, of Huntington Beach, Calif., gave $30 in memory of their friend Gene Grindal. “He always contributed to your fund and we are pleased to continue his tradition,” they wrote.

Pete and Jean, of Spokane Valley, gave $30 in memory of their youngest brother, Richard, and challenged all child-care providers to meet or beat their donation.

Wilson and Marylyn Stuckless, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Ernest and Sharlene Barbeau, of Peabody, Mass.; C.W. Constable, of Spokane; Earl and Maureen Adams, of Greenacres; Walter and Cecelia Hodgens, of Spokane; Jeri Schmidt, of Cheney; and Dorothy Swope, Dianne Bongarts, and Tim and Karelia Lipsker, all of Spokane.

“La Maestria’s” Spanish class at Mead High School gave $21.

Samuel and Lisa Thomas, of Spokane, sent $20, as did Maureen Lickteig, of Spokane; the Burton family, of Medical Lake; and two anonymous donors, both of Spokane.

Alfred Ungaro, of Spokane, sent $10.