Physicians give $15,000 to area needy

Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists of Spokane gave a big Christmas gift to the community’s needy when the group delivered a $15,000 check to the Christmas Fund this week. That gift, along with a number of other generous donations, brought the daily tally to $45,579.71 and boosted the Christmas Fund to $338,572.46.

The physicians and staff of Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists sent their good wishes to the Spokane community, along with the donation. “We feel privileged to be able to share with the less fortunate people in Spokane. The Christmas Fund represents the true spirit of what a community is all about – giving back to the community,” they wrote. “Hopefully this gift along with all the others will help further the sense of community that we all feel and share and make the holidays more enjoyable for those in need.”

Donations of all amounts are needed if the Christmas Fund is to reach its goal of $485,000, the amount needed to pay for the food vouchers and toys distributed at the Christmas Bureau. The bureau closes today at 6:30 p.m. for the season, but the Christmas Fund will continue accepting donations.

Tuesday the bureau distributed food vouchers worth $14,860 to 531 families and gave toys to 729 children.

Bureau co-chairman Bruce Butler estimates that by closing time today, more than 10,000 needy families will have been given the fixings of Christmas.

The whole effort depends on the generosity of the community and many are stepping up with gifts to the Christmas Fund.

Cochrane and Co., of Spokane, gave $5,000. “At this time of giving, sharing and hope, we feel it is appropriate to give back to the community and the less fortunate children. Christmas is about families and sharing as a community. Your service in helping the less fortunate is an inspiration to all of us. We hope our gift will bring much happiness and cheer to the community’s recipients,” wrote Cochrane and Co. Vice President Brian Carney.

Following are other donors and their donations:

Jack and Susan White, of Spokane, donated $2,000; as did Mike and Muffy Murphy, of Spokane.

Doug and Darin Justus and the staff at Justus Bag Co., of Spokane, donated $2,000. “The true spirit of Christmas is a genuine heart that has a burning desire to give rather than receive. It is truly a season when our focus should be on others rather than ourselves. Considering all of the catastrophic and tragic events we have seen take place this year, it does not take much to shed tears for those who now face what appears to be a hopeless future. However, if we all come together and do our part we can help change those unfortunate circumstances. The true spirit of Christmas brings hope to the hopeless, brings light into a dark place, and greatest of all, the spirit of Christmas brings love to the heartbroken and hurting,” wrote Doug and Darin Justus. “It is in this spirit of Christmas and in loving memory of our founder, Roland ‘Curly’ Justus, we are honored to continue our support and contribute to the Christmas Fund.”

Mitchell Orsi, of Spokane’s Manito Family Dentistry, sent $1,000 and a note: “Once again we appreciate you and the volunteers for the time and effort that you take to provide a happier holiday season for those in Spokane that are less fortunate,” Orsi wrote.

An anonymous donor of Spokane also sent $1,000 as did an anonymous donor of Newport, Wash.

Michael Flannery and Dean Lynch, of Spokane, donated $750 in memory of their fathers, Francis E. Flannery and Gordon Lynch.

Lester and Lyn Wolff, of Mica, donated $700.

The Dow Investment Club, of Spokane, donated $505.

Shirley Whitaker, of Spokane Valley, donated $500, as did Mr. and Mrs. F. Johnstone, of Spokane Valley.

U.S. Bank’s Spokane Commercial Lending Team sent $500 on behalf of its valued clients.

Safeway Stores, of Spokane, sent $500 and a note: “There are many traditions that happen annually in the Inland Northwest. The Christmas Bureau tradition of helping those less fortunate is one of the best. On behalf of all of our Spokane-area Safeway employees, we are happy to be able to mail you the enclosed check to help this cause. And please pass on our thanks to those volunteers who so freely give of their time to staff the bureau,” wrote Spokane Safeway district manager Craig Johnson.

Richard, Carol and Scott Hendershot, of Spokane, donated $500, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley.

The Suburbanites, of Spokane Valley, donated $500. “The Suburbanites is a small group of women in the Spokane area who organize three large fundraisers each year to raise money to give to organizations that provide help in the area. All the money we raise is given away,” wrote treasurer Elinor Johnson. “The group has a salad luncheon-card party in November, a luncheon and silent auction in December and a style show and luncheon in April. Last year we were able to give $8,000 to area charities.”

Clay and Andrea Clausen, of Spokane, sent $400, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane.

Anonymous donors sent $400 in memory of Peggy and Mom.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $350.

An anonymous donor, of Chattaroy, gave $315.

Fred and Sharon Clark, of Chattaroy, gave $300, as did Wendell Reugh and an anonymous donor, both of Spokane.

Gail and Roberta Keeling, of Otis Orchards, gave $300 in honor of their three grandsons: Taylor Merkley, Kolby Keeling and Ryan Gail Keeling. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $250, as did Wilhite Enterprises, Inc., of Spokane; Walter Fernau, Jr., of Mead; Larry and Patricia Bishop, of Coeur d’Alene; Mike and Christie Hinnen, of Spokane; Mary and Peter Bach, of Colbert; Thomas Kasson, of Spokane; and Roger and Miriam Devaney, of Colbert.

Frank and Noreen Groh, of Odessa, Wash., donated $200 in memory of Frank and Paulene Groh and C.H. and Lydia Scrupps. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Al and Lillian Rudolf.

Stephanie and Ethan Allen, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Joyce Stefanoff, Marilyn and Phillip Sandberg, Charles Romanick and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Laurene Dixon, of Spokane Valley, donated $200, as did Kirsten and Michael Harrington, and Noreen Silvertson, all of Spokane.

Del and Ruth Mattix, of Veradale, sent $150, as did Lesley and Todd Greiner, of Liberty Lake; John Obde and William and Norma Main, all of Spokane; Allen and Phillis Olp, of Chattaroy; and Rick and Chris Schrader, of Colbert, in honor of their grandson, Cody.

Ronald and Naomi Franklin, of Spokane, donated $125.

Bill, Cathy and Jimmy Reed, of Spokane, donated $120.