Two gifts of $5,000 are grand
The Christmas Bureau distributed the makings of Christmas to more than 7,800 needy families in its first eight days. That’s a lot of holiday cheer. The bureau gave $228,465 worth of food vouchers for holiday dinners and bagged up toys for 13,022 children. The charity has made Christmas brighter for 25,589 poor people.
The bureau will be open for just three days next week, closing for the season at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
It’s a big commitment for the community to fund this gift to its less fortunate members. Organizers estimate it will take $485,000 to pay the bills for the food vouchers and toys after it closes. Last year nearly 10,000 families – 30,000 needy people – came to the bureau for help with their Christmas celebrations.
On Friday, the Christmas Bureau distributed food vouchers worth $15,980 to 566 families and distributed 788 toys.
Generous donors are stepping up and meeting the challenge. Kim Hotstart Manufacturing Co. and Northwest Farm Credit Services each gave $5,000, boosting Friday’s tally to $22,356.56 and the Christmas Fund to $231,851.75. Donations of all amounts are welcome, but time’s growing short to reach the goal.
Following are the donors to the daily tally and their donations:
Rick Robinson, the CEO of Kim Hotstart Manufacturing Co., made the company’s $5,000 donation on behalf of all its employees. “I know that all of our employees and the community appreciates your effort to help those less fortunate than us during this holiday season,” wrote Robinson.
Northwest Farm Credit Services president and CEO Jay Penick included a note with the $5,000 donation: “Northwest Farm Credit Services is very happy to be able to contribute again this year to your wonderful fund to help those less fortunate in our community at this special time of year. Thanks to the many volunteers who provide this wonderful service to our community.”
The law offices of Douglas, Eden, Phillips, DeRuyter & Stanyer, of Spokane, donated $2,500. “We at Douglas, Eden, Phillips, DeRuyter & Stanyer have supported the Christmas Fund since our inception in 1990. We want to ensure that you meet your goal, so for this year we have decided to more than double our contribution to the Christmas Fund. We can only hope that others will do likewise, so the good work you do can benefit as many as possible,” they wrote.
The employees of Kimmel Athletic Supply sent $1,500 and a note: “Again this year the employees of Kimmel Athletic Supply are pleased to take part in the Christmas Fund. We are proud to be part of this community-wide display of true Christmas spirit. The employees of our company are happy to contribute to this program knowing it will provide gifts and good cheer to those less fortunate …”
The University High School faculty and staff donated $660. “In what has become an annual tradition, the faculty and staff of University High has dedicated itself to helping those less fortunate during the holiday season. We are proud to show our spirit as Titans and present you with this donation of $660 to share with the needy in the Spokane area. We thank you for what you do for others,” wrote the staff.
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $503 in memory of Joe Nellie.
Victor Lumber Co. Inc., of Spokane, donated $500 on behalf of its loyal customers and staff, wrote Steve and Ellen Victor.
The employees of Dupree Building Specialties donated $400 on behalf of president Michael J. Leslie and the vice president, Dave Barber.
The fall students at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, of Spokane, donated $326.57. “This is a small gift to the Spokane community from the students. Next week the students are going to leave for home in Japan with a number of good memories after finishing the 15-week studies in English and American culture. They are appreciative of your warm-hearted friendship and support,” wrote Hiroshi Takaoka, the institute’s executive vice president.
Bob and Mary Eckenrode, of Spokane, donated $300 in lieu of giving Christmas presents to their children: Matthew Eckenrode, Kati and Mark Eckenrode, Tom and Caryn Aaker, Sara and Patrick Findlay, and Susan and Steve Wiegele. The Laborers International Union of North America Local 238 also donated $300.
Lew and Shirley Schrawyer, of Airway Heights, donated $300 in remembrance and in the name of their son, Erik Jon Wells, and in honor of their son, Michael Wells, who is serving in Iraq this Christmas.
The Inland Northwest Car Club Council donated $250. “Within the council there are over 50 car clubs who work toward common goals. One of these goals is to support charities that are vital to the health and welfare of our community. We hope that this contribution will bring all those who benefit from your efforts a brighter holiday season,” the council wrote.
Thomas and Thelma Smith, of Veradale, donated $250.
Joe and Jan Kaley, of Spokane, donated $200, as did R.A. Bedford, and Carl and Anna Rabe, all of Spokane.
Delbert Spear, of Medical Lake, gave $200 in memory of his parents, Delitha and Delbert Spear.
Barry Bergan, of Spokane, donated $200 in lieu of Christmas gifts for his sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Terry Montgomery. An anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, sent $200 in memory of mom, dad and Judy.
The Jones family of Spokane Valley donated $150 in memory of Marybelle and Evelyn and in honor of Abigail and Walker.
Don Wilson, of Spokane, donated $100, as did the First Covenant Church Women’s Ministries, of Spokane; Brian and Glenna Bayne, Areta Holms, Earl and Virginia Schoer, Eva and Robert Akers, Harry Sparks Jr., Ruth Lambert, Mike Slavens, and Deloris and John Skelton, all of Spokane.
Bruce and Ann Dentler, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Pat and Vern Kilgore, Belle Hickey, John and Arlene Hundahl, Beverly and Bill Honeycutt, Harold, Heidi, Jacob and Ethan Clarke, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane; and an anonymous donor of Spokane Valley.
Marjorie Wandler, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of her husband, Arny, and brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Marilyn Christensen.
Carol and Robert Lingow, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of their parents, Maida and Walter Schmidt and Nettie and Bob Lingow.
Cascade Park MHAO, of Spokane, donated $75, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $75 in memory of BonBon and PaPa.
Twelve-year-old Brooke and 10-year-old Paige Gallaway, of Greenacres, each donated $50.
“I am blessed to have such a wonderful family. I absolutely love basketball. That is one of my favorite sports. Mostly every night there’s a basketball in my hand. If I was poor, I know I would want to spend it on something I want to do, like I would of spent it on a basketball,” wrote Paige.
“I’m the average girl you know,” wrote Brooke. “I have clothes, food, a nice house and a lot of more things. I want to be a better person who gives things to people in need. I hope $50 that I’m giving someone in need will enable them to do something special.”
Jamie, Ron, Jill and Jerry Skogstad, of Spokane, gave $50, as did Arthur Patterson, Mary and family, the Sandy Hill Garden Club, Klaus Kuehl, Jerri and William Brooker, and Waltraut Hassler, all of Spokane. An anonymous donor brought $50 in person.
Edward and Wendy Rockwell, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of Marjorie Woods.
Bryce Backus and family, of Spokane, donated $40 in memory of James E. Clark, Lester M. Backus, Donald Barnhouse and Dusty Dutt.
Alan and Deanna Eppinger, of Spokane, donated $35. The Eastern State Hospital switchboard staff, of Medical Lake, donated $32.
Glenn Gannon, of Spokane Valley, sent $25, as did Darlene Gaunt, and an anonymous donor, both of Spokane Valley; Katie Riddle, Janet and William Hale, and four anonymous donors, all of Spokane. John and Deborah Melius, of Veradale, sent $25 in memory of Helen, Izzy, Frank and Joe. Geneva Donahue, of Spokane Valley, gave $25 in memory of Ted Donahue.
Bergy and Walt Morbeck, of Spokane, donated $20, as did an anonymous donor, in memory of John Devlin, and another anonymous donor, of Spokane.