It’s time to dig deep once again

For more than 50 years, The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund has been providing holiday cheer for thousands of needy families in the Inland Northwest. This year will be no exception. The Christmas Fund kicks off today with the goal of raising $500,000.

It is the same goal as last year and it is an ambitious one, given the tepid local economy. Last year the fund fell a little short of that goal; the final tally was $482,936. Even so, that paid for Christmas toys for 15,966 needy children and helped buy Christmas dinner for 9,834 families.

Keeping the goal high, however, is necessary given the continuing need in the community. It’s realistic, too, because of the generosity donors have demonstrated toward this charity year in and year out. In 2002, for example, when the economic picture was bleaker, donors sent $504,034 to the fund. The effort had a record year in 2001, raising $508,062.

“The Christmas Fund is really an astonishing community collaboration,” said Steven A. Smith, editor of The Spokesman-Review. “Even in tough times, the citizens of this community donate upwards of $500,000 to brighten the holidays of those in need. But the cash donations that support the fund and Christmas Bureau are only part of the story. Dozens of volunteers spend months putting together each year’s campaign. Their contributions of time, energy and compassion fuel each year’s campaign.

“The Spokesman-Review is blessed and honored to be a part of this collaboration,” Smith said.

The collaboration works this way: Generous donors from throughout the Inland Northwest give to the Christmas Fund, managed by The Spokesman-Review. The newspaper publishes at least one story every day reporting the donations made, as well as occasional articles about the recipients.

The money pays for the fixings of Christmas, toys and food vouchers, which are distributed to needy people at the Christmas Bureau. The bureau is organized and run by Catholic Charities, Volunteers of America and The Salvation Army.

This year, to make donating even easier, the Christmas Fund will take donations online through PayPal. Donors can use either their PayPal account or a credit card. Donors still have the option of mailing or bringing in their contributions.

Before the Christmas Bureau opens at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, thousands of generous donors are needed. The fund-raising runs only through Dec. 30.

The Christmas Bureau opens Dec. 6 at the fairgrounds. The partner charities enlisted hundreds of volunteers to work during the 10 days the bureau is open. The Christmas Fund donations are used to buy about 17,000 toys and to pay for food vouchers for Christmas dinner, all distributed to needy people at the bureau. “This is one of the most successful Christmas efforts in the country,” said Donna Hanson, director of Catholic Charities. “From my perspective, that includes the outreach to families, the assistance it provides to assure happy holidays for children and their families.

“The other side of that success is that the Christmas Bureau brings together volunteers – and for many, they say it makes their holiday,” Hanson said.

Nearly 225 volunteers have signed up to work at the Christmas Bureau, said Karen Orlando, the bureau coordinator for Catholic Charities. “That is about the number of volunteers we need to fill all the shifts. We might need some backups in case of illness or family emergencies.”

Volunteer shifts are five hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays only, and from 2-7 Wednesdays when the bureau is open later to serve the working poor. Volunteers work in the toy room, at the book tables, in child care, or as a restocker or greeter.

Volunteers can sign up to be available for one shift, or multiple shifts as needed.