Some glad tidings
When Christmas dawns Monday, more than 9,800 needy families will have a merrier holiday, thanks to the generosity of the Inland Northwest community.
The final report from the Christmas Bureau, which closed for the season last Wednesday, showed that food vouchers totaling $284,410 were given to 9,827 families, which included 15,472 adults and 15,685 children. Nearly 100 of those families were homeless. Now, the bills need to be paid, which is where generous donors to the Christmas Fund come in. The fund pays for the fixings of Christmas distributed at the bureau.
The bills totaled $499,697, which includes the vouchers, $203,229 spent on the toys, and $12,058 for more than 16,000 bags of Christmas candy.
The Christmas Fund goal this year was $485,000. Donations of $13,620.39 brought the fund to $438,901.32. Donations will continue to be accepted through Dec. 28.
Following are the donors and their donations:
The owners and employees of Moloney + O’Neill, Inc., of Spokane donated $3,000. “On behalf of the owners of Moloney + O’Neill, it is our great pleasure to once again be a part of the Christmas Fund. Your bureau has operated like no other in that our donation goes 100 percent to the needy families of the Inland Empire. Enclosed is our check for $3,000 and our sincere hope that you once again meet your goal,” wrote senior partner Frank O’Neill.
The attorneys and staff of the Law Offices of Douglas, Eden, Phillips, DeRuyter & Stanyer, of Spokane, donated $2,500. “At this time of year when we count our many blessings, we are reminded of how truly blessed Spokane is to have the Christmas Fund to help those who might not have a Christmas. The attorneys and staff again this year, as in years past, would like to contribute $2,500 to aid in your efforts and would like to thank you and all of the volunteers for their generous gift of time and talent,” wrote Ronald Douglas, Marc Phillips, Brent Stanyer, Diane Kiepe, Anita Anderson, Janette Smith, Carla Fischer, William Eden, Daniel DeRuyter, Ryan Douglas, Suzanne Bretting, Robbie Beyer and Sandi Pendleton.
Max J. Kuney Co., of Spokane, donated $2,000.
The employees of L&M Truck Sales, Inc., of Spokane, donated $750 in memory of company founders Marvin D. Littell and Lonnie Shaw. “We wish to thank The Spokesman-Review for your gracious effort during the holiday season and hope that this contribution makes the holiday season a little brighter for those in need,” they wrote.
The employees of Branom Instrument Co., of Spokane, donated $600 in honor of Russ Holliday.
Acosta Sales & Marketing, of Spokane Valley, brought $530.42 worth of currency and coins in three one-gallon containers to the newspaper. “We divided the company into three teams and held a contest to see what team would donate the most,” wrote Gordon Leek, of Acosta. “The winning team donated over $222, and the other teams were very close. Our goal was to raise $500, and we beat that goal by $30. We sincerely hope this donation helps families in our area to have a very Merry Christmas.”
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $500, in memory of Gloria Dahl, and in honor of Jerry, Lorrie, Kari, Carla, Aaron, Crystal, Jim, Melanie, Pam, Louise, Jamie, Pauline, and so many others, “who give me great joy and epitomize what true friendship really is. These people give their hearts all year long, not just at Christmas.”
Ronda and Jack Miller, of Spokane, donated $500, as did Thomas Kasson, also of Spokane.
Anonymous donors, of Spokane, sent $300 and a card: “The Christmas Bureau gives to each recipient the following: the spirit of Christmas, which is peace, the gladness of Christmas, which is hope, the heart of Christmas, which is love.”
The Wagner family, of Spokane, donated $300.
Employees from Washington State University of Spokane donated $269.98.
An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of her parents, Bill and Elaine Reynolds, “who donated every year, knowing it made Christmas special for someone nearby.”
Russ and Lisa Akerhielm, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Kathleen Rotchfold, “who showed us how to have a giving heart and help those in need.”
Mike and Nikki Edmunds, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Francis Edmunds, Grandpa Jack and Grama Jessie.
Paul Hutton, of Nine Mile Falls, donated $100 in memory of Esther Robbins Hutton.
A. Van and Thi Phan Nguyen, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Theodore and Diane Ketcham, David and Maxine Breshears, and Alfred and Carol Stopp, all of Spokane; Charmaine Tijssen, of Bayview, Idaho; and Tom and Karen Dorsey, of Spokane Valley.
Nancy Dafler, of Cheney, donated $50 in memory of her dad, Royce Paqeutte, “whose birthday was Christmas Eve and who loved Christmas.”
Keith and Trece Turpin, of Spokane, donated $50, as did Rhonda and Andre Neh, of Spokane Valley; Areta Holmes, Laverne Linder, Robert and Jeanette Johnson, Sally Swoffer, Douglas and Bertha Jayne, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane; and an anonymous donor, of Sandpoint, Idaho.
Kathleen Hull and Dr. Janet Walker, of Colbert, sent $40 and a note: “We would like to give this donation to thank the dedicated social workers who work to give abused children in this community a safe and loving home. They deserve every thank-you we can give them,” they wrote.
Sherry Bentley, of Mead, donated $30 in memory of her dad, Terry Bentley, who passed away in 2005.
The Van Steenkist family, of Spokane Valley, donated $25, as did Joan and Donald Williams, William and Fongkaer Loskat, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.