Volunteers wrap up the bureau
Mike Reilly and about 300 other volunteers wrapped up the Christmas Bureau operations late this week and have dispersed for another year.
“We have volunteers who travel elsewhere to have Christmas, and they delay their travel plans to make sure the bureau work gets done,” said Reilly, who served as volunteer chairman of the bureau this year. “It’s an amazing thing to see so many people willingly give up so many hours right before the holidays. But we are really beneficiaries, too. When you see how many people get their Christmas at the bureau, you begin to appreciate what Christmas is about – it’s reaching out and touching others. To be part of the community that is reaching out is so rewarding.”
Several families sent notes of gratitude.
“To all volunteers at the Christmas Bureau, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity,” said one card. “You made our Christmas a lot less stressful. Thank you and someday we hope to pay it forward and help someone else.”
Another recipient named Elizabeth wrote: “Thank you so much for your generosity. I will always remember how you helped us this Christmas and how the Lord provides in wonderful ways.”
A family of five wrote: “Thank you for bringing help during these hard times. God bless you.”
Generous donors continue to step up to pay the bills. Donations of $13,165.25 brought the Christmas Fund to $425,280.93. Donations of all amounts are welcome. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 28.
Following are the donors and their donations:
The following Fernwell Building staff and tenants collectively donated $3,995: The Fernwell Building, Boswell Law Firm, Dennis and Debbie Clark, Gary Crithfield, Hammer Law Office, Law Office of Michael Cressey, Mark Callen, T. Shine Architectural Design, The Fernwell Executive Suites, Virtual Counsel Carol Haugen, Faust Law Firm, Home Debut, Jere Jaline, Law Offices of Robyn Pugsley, Robyn Pugsley-Arrendono, and Allyson Shoshana.
“To continue the now long-standing tradition, the Fernwell Building staff and tenants would like to take advantage of the opportunity The Spokesman-Review has given us to help those in need of it, especially around the winter holidays. We all realize that it is our responsibility to this community to help in any way we can,” they wrote. “All of us at the Fernwell Building are thankful for all we have and are pleased to share with those less fortunate.”
Panco Construction Inc., and General Contractors, of Spokane Valley, donated $2,000.
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $1,000.
The Spokane Public Schools Facility Services, Maintenance and Warehouse departments donated $801. “Spokane is a community that believes in helping others. Part of that support has always been for our public schools and as district employees, we have always appreciated that support. So it is our pleasure to give back to that community,” they wrote.
Creighton Engineering Inc., of Spokane, donated $750.
Jennifer, Jeff and Jillian Preston, of Spokane, donated $500 in memory of their grandparents, August and Mary, “who were very generous to them and others and would want those less fortunate to have a happy Christmas.”
Dentist Dave Petersen and his staff, of Spokane, sent $500 and a note: “It is our pleasure to make a donation to the Christmas Fund again this year. Please accept this gift in honor of our many wonderful patients who we treasure throughout the year. And thank you for providing this opportunity to help so many Spokane-area families enjoy a happy, holiday season,” Petersen wrote.
The Russells, of Spokane, donated $300, as did the Horton Living Trust, also of Spokane.
Lillian Olsen, of Spokane, gave $300 in memory of her husband, Oscar, niece Pam Larsen, and brother Elmer Kist.
Gregory and Colleen Stevens, of Spokane, donated $250 in memory of Charlotte Sullivan and DeLores Stevens. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $250.
The Holy Family Hospital Ambulatory Surgery Center donated $250 in lieu of a gift exchange “so others are able to celebrate the season.”
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hoy, of Spokane, gave $200, as did an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.
Johanna Julyan and Boehm’s Chocolates and Flowers, of Spokane, donated $150.
James Bingham, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Richard Ahlquist Jr., the Baldwins, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane. John and Charlotte Sullivan, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Charles and Opal McCoy. Dick Lile and Lola Houx Lile, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Robert and Ellen Houx.
The Paul B. Sullivan family donated $96.80 through PayPal, in honor of parents Martin and Agnes Sullivan.
The employees of Western States Insurance Agency, of Spokane, sent $60.
Donald and Annette Farr, of Spokane, donated $50, as did Loyce Lewis, also of Spokane; Mark and Julie Tibbetts, of Colbert; Sherry Westermann, of Otis Orchards; and two anonymous donors, both of Spokane.
Sally Deranleau, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of her husband, Lorene, who passed away two years ago.
Claire Quiel, of Spokane, donated $50 in memory of her parents, Clarence and Gladys Curran.
Valerie Klee and Steven Anderson each donated $48.25 through PayPal.
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $30.
Mary Campbell, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Lilias Keel, also of Spokane. Mark and Jane Bitz, of Liberty Lake, donated $25 as a gift for their brother, Jeff Gawelski, of Milwaukee, Wis. Rianna Fales, of Spokane, gave $25 in memory of her brother, Dave Green, and mother, Florence Green, “who I miss each day.”
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $20.
The estate of Pat Sheehan, of Spokane, donated $15.95.