Fund gets off to a good start

The goal of this year’s Christmas Fund is $485,000, which may seem daunting this early in the effort. But thanks to generous donors who contributed early, the fund already has $6,517.51. That still leaves more than $478,000 to raise if the charity is to reach the goal and help needy families in the region.

The Christmas Fund pays for food vouchers, Christmas candy and toys, which are distributed at the Christmas Bureau in December. Donations of all amounts are welcome. Daily stories in The Spokesman-Review will report the donors and the amount of their donations. Those wishing to remain anonymous should indicate their wishes on their donation checks or in an accompanying note.

Generous donations by area residents made the holidays brighter for nearly 10,000 families last year. Every year, a number of recipients leave notes of gratitude with volunteers at the Christmas Bureau.

“A number of people tell us, sometimes with tears in their eyes, that the toy they get at the bureau will be the only toy their child receives for Christmas that year,” said Mike Reilly, volunteer chairman of the bureau. “We have a lot of working poor come for help. Sometimes people say it’s their first time asking for help. They’ll say, ‘I just got laid off and this is temporary,’ or they are between jobs. They say this is a wonderful thing for their families because they aren’t working right now.”

Families occasionally send notes to the newspaper, asking that the volunteers at the bureau be thanked but also requesting anonymity as recipients. One such letter arrived in January.

“We want to thank all those who donated time, resources and energy into making the Christmas gift program possible this year. We were amazed at the kind of toys and thoughtful gifts that were available and were impressed by the helpful and cheerful spirit of those working at the event,” wrote the recipient.

She and her husband have two sons, ages 3 and 12 and three daughters, ages 5, 7 and 10. Last year she selected a snowboard and “giddy-up horse” for the boys, and a paint-by-number kit, pottery wheel and clay set for the girls.

“The children’s books have already been put to use at family time and the food voucher came in so handy. Thank you so very much for your generosity. We feel very blessed and are very grateful,” she wrote.

Donations from the employees of Rings & Things and the Clarence Colby Memorial Fund gave the Christmas fund a good start.

Following are the donors and their donations:

The employees and owners

of Rings & Things, of Spokane, sent $2,250 and a letter: “Like many businesses, Rings & Things employees participate in a voluntary payroll deduction plan to make our year end contribution nearly painless,” wrote owners Russ Nobbs and Dee Mueller. “With additional matching funds from the owners, we are able to contribute to the Christmas Fund as well as give support to several other community concerns. Our thanks go to The Spokesman-Review and to the volunteers working at the Christmas Bureau for this annual opportunity to share with families in need.

“Rings & Things’ wholesale mail-order division, at 304 E. Second Ave., continues to grow, serving craftspeople, jewelers and bead stores worldwide,” Nobbs and Mueller continued. “We are reminded daily that too many people in our community do not have adequate income

or decent housing. We hope that our contribution will help the Christmas Bureau to make this a holiday filled with

sharing and joy for all of our neighbors in Spokane.”

The Clarence Colby Memorial Fund, of Spokane, donated $2,170.09.

TEK Manufacturing, of Spokane, donated $500.

An anonymous donor, of Newman Lake, gave $350.

The Sons of Norway Tordenskjold Lodge 2-005, of Spokane, gave $250.

Unity Church of Truth, of Spokane, donated $110.81.

Olive Cody, of Spokane, sent $100 in memory of Marilyn Ream. Michael and Kathleen McCoy, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Janice Worrell, and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane. Jan and Dick Kroll, of Deer Park, gave $100 in memory of their daughter, Lisa.

Betty Bradford, of Kalispell, Mont., donated $100 in memory of Charles Schmeltzer.

Richard Terzieff, of Spokane, sent $50 in memory of Bob Shugert, and included a note: “I’ve lost a mentor and a friend, and the world lost one fine human being with Bob Shugert’s passing. Please honor his spirit of giving back by finding toys for needy

children.”

Ramsey Larson, Mike Yake and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane, each donated $50.

The Viking Whist Club, of Spokane, sent $43 and a note: “A group of us play during the year and we want you to use this for someone.”

Kevin Lemberger, of Spokane, donated $25 from last year’s Christmas money.

Yung Dao, of Spring Valley, N.Y., gave $10.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $6.25. An anonymous donor, also of Spokane, gave $2.36.