Bureau closure doesn’t end need

The Christmas Bureau has closed for the season but donors continue to give much-needed gifts to the Christmas Fund to pay for the toys and vouchers distributed to nearly 10,000 needy families. The goal of $485,000 is the amount needed to pay the bills, and longtime donors Ron and Georgia Lee Puryear, of Liberty Lake, stepped up and donated $10,000.

“We appreciate the great work that The Spokesman-Review does through the Christmas Fund,” they wrote. “Our gift is in memory of our son, Brian, who is at home with Jesus. We pray God’s blessings for all during this miraculous time of the year.”

The Puryears’ $10,000 gift and other generous donations, totaling $36,502, boosted the Christmas Fund to $412,115.68. Donations of all amounts are welcome and will continue to be accepted through Dec. 28. Donations will be reported daily through Christmas. Donations received after Christmas will all be reported in the newspaper on Dec. 31.

Following are additional donors and their donations:

The attorneys and staff of Randall & Danskin, P.S., of Spokane, donated $5,500. “Although Randall & Danskin’s tradition of contributing to the Christmas Fund may draw more attention thanks to the kind acknowledgment you provide, we want to take this opportunity to honor the independent undertakings of the energetic and generous members of our legal staff. This year, as they have for the last several years, our legal assistants, paralegals and other administrative staff members will provide a memorable Christmas with individualized selections of gifts for three families, through Lutheran Community Services. In addition, continuing a tradition of many years, they have asked that funds we would otherwise spend on decorations for their workspace be contributed to Second Harvest Food Bank,” wrote attorney Laurel Siddoway.

“We are gratified by their spirit, just as we are thankful for the opportunity we continue to have to brighten the season for children and families who call on the Christmas Bureau. We encourage clients, friends and colleagues to join us in taking this opportunity to include as many of our neighbors as possible in the traditions and celebration of the holiday season,” Siddoway wrote.

An anonymous donor, from Fairwood Retirement Center, gave $5,000 in honor of her 10 grandchildren and two great-granddaughters born in 2006, Libby and Ellie. “I hope it will help you make your goal of making Christmas a happy time for those less fortunate,” she wrote.

Atlas Electric, Inc., donated $3,000.

Tom and Colleen Tracy, of Nine Mile Falls, donated $1,000 in appreciation for the hard work and dedication of all of the staff of the Northwest Farm Credit Services Legal and Lending Support Division.

Manito Family Dentistry and dentist Mitchell Orsi, of Spokane, donated $1,000.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $1,000 in memory of Jim.

Inland Fastening Systems and Jerry Kjos, of Spokane, donated $800.

Mark Chapman and Cire Gray, of Deer Park, donated $600.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $504.

Mike and Jacki Konesky, of Spokane, donated $500, as did Anderson Mraz Design, Inc., of Spokane.

Melba Valley, of Spokane, gave $350 in memory of Lynda Valley.

Mary and Bob Eckenrode, of Spokane, gave $300 in appreciation of their children, Mark and Kati Eckenrode, Tom and Caryn Aaker, Sara and Patrick Findlay, Susan and Steve Wiegele and Matthew Eckenrode. “We are happy to be part of making Christmas better for less-fortunate children in our community,” they wrote.

Loretha Hitchcock, of Spokane Valley, donated $300, as did Timothy and Camille Schmidt, of Valleyford, Wash., Fred and Sharon Clark of Chattaroy; and James and Julie Psomas, of Liberty Lake.

Sankar and Uma Jayaram, of Pullman, sent $250, as did William and Georgette Savitz, the Bad Guys Tennis Group, attorney Paul Allison, and doctors Arnold Cohen and Colleen Carey, all of Spokane.

Anonymous donors, of Spokane, gave $250 in memory of their mothers, Ellen Kinzer and Regina Webster, “who taught us the true meaning of Christmas.”

Steve and Sigrid Sanwick, of Spokane, sent $250 and a note: “It is a privilege to continue to support The Spokesman’s Christmas Fund – what has been and continues to be a great Spokane tradition. Thanks for all you do for families and kids in Spokane.”

Barbara Augusta donated $250 from the Schwab Charitable Fund.

Scott McGann, Linda and Debbie of Payne Financial Group, of Spokane, donated $225. “On behalf of our clients, again this year in lieu of purchasing gifts for our clients, we wish to provide the less fortunate in our community with a little Christmas cheer. We appreciate the donors and volunteers who make this Christmas season a little happier for those you touch,” they wrote.

Gene, Mike, Pat and Carrie Carbery, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of Dixie Lee Carbery, “who loved Christmas and would be happy that this will help someone have a merrier holiday.”

Ed and Diana Honodel, of Otis Orchards, also sent $200, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane.

Jerald and Darlene Yochum, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Kathy Maurer, Warren Starr, Ray and Cleo Strange, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane; Don and Eleanor Limmer, of Liberty Lake; David and Rosanne Whitney, of Otis Orchards; Steve and Karen Heaps, of Greenacres; Barry Benoit, of Hauser, Idaho; and Janet and Charles Watkins, and Jim and Essie Crowder, all of Newport, Wash.

Don and Carlene Eneroth, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their mothers, Clara Nottingham and Irene Eneroth.

A previous donation in memory of Peter Bolkan was made by Katie Roddy, of Bothell, Wash.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of Daphne Adams, “for whom the Christmas season was her favorite time of year,” wrote the donor. “She always gave to the Christmas Fund, and I happily continue the tradition in her honor.”

Vera Banta, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Jim Shively, her son-in-law, “a very honorable man who was a POW for six years. He served his country with dignity,” she wrote.

Carol Hatcher, of Spokane, donated $70, as did an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.

David and Deanna Sommers, of Spokane, donated $50, as did Roseline Rogers, Michelle and Paul Bus, Dan and Wendy Eacret, Kate and Jim Jones, Todd Hamm, Glenn and Alta Spear, Lois Snider, the Ladies VFW Auxiliary 51, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Jan Hunt, of Oldtown, Idaho, donated $40, in memory of her daughter, Dawn Hunt, who would have been 30 this year, her brother, Mike Nichols, who died in August, and her longtime pet, A.J.

Ernst and Rita Pickel, of Spokane, donated $35.

An anonymous donor, of Liberty Lake, gave $30.

Leo and Nola Wolfe, of Spokane, gave $25, as did Janis Martin, Dennis Frey, Paul and Eva Martin and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Steve Duvall, of Spokane, donated $20, as did Rolf and Vivienne Walling, also of Spokane; the Eastern State Hospital Reception Area employees, of Medical Lake; and an anonymous donor, of Athol, Idaho.

Gracie Schauls, of Colville, her siblings Molly, Stephan, and Stacy, and cousins, Riley Baker and Jordy and Ava Tomren sent $20 and a note to the needy children who came to the Christmas Bureau: “Dear kids, me and my cousins are sending you money to help with your Christmas. We hope you have a merry Christmas.”