Christmas Bureau meeting record-setting demand

Christmas Bureau organizers are prepared for another record-setting day today, after a week of seeing more needy families than ever coming to the charity at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.

Nearly 780 grocery vouchers totaling $22,515 were distributed Friday, about 80 vouchers more than on the same day last year. Toys were given to nearly 2,000 children, also about 80 more than last year.

The Christmas Fund, which pays for the toys and food vouchers, also continues to grow. The fund now has $251,173, boosted by donations of $20,319. Much more is needed to reach the goal of $485,000. Donations of all amounts are welcome.

Bureau organizers started taking inventory Friday so they can anticipate whether more toys will have to be purchased next week. The bureau is open from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, except Sunday, through Dec. 21.

The bureau ran out of plastic bags early this week. Bill and Judy Griffin, owners of First Choice Marketing, responded to a request for bags and delivered 3,500 to the Ag Building on Wednesday.

Among companies donating volunteer time is Avista, which sent 11 employees to work at the bureau on Friday. Avista employees Tami Judge and Lori Hamilton said it was their third year volunteering at the bureau.

“Our whole team came last year and even the people who left our department came back with us this year,” said Judge while bagging up a Barbie, an electronic car and a toy doorbell.

The big donation in the daily tally came from Landmark Restaurants, which gave $7,200.

“Our locally owned company has roughly 200 employees who contribute all year long through voluntary payroll deductions. They raised $3,600 for the Christmas Fund and an additional $4,400 for other needy charities in and around the Spokane area,” wrote Landmark Restaurants partners Ken Belisle and Larry Brown.

“Our crew members from the downtown and North Division Onion Restaurants and the downtown and North Spokane Frank’s Diners are excited to be able to participate in such a worthy cause. We are truly proud to be associated with them. Each year,Landmark Restaurants matches the amount raised for your Christmas Fund and is grateful for this opportunity to participate. Our company values that 100 percent of this money goes directly to creating a merrier Christmas for deserving children and families in the Spokane area. God bless all of you for the work you are doing for our community.” Following are the additional donations and donors:

Testcomm, of Spokane, sent $4,500 and a note: “Testcomm proudly continues its annual tradition of supporting the Spokane regional community during the holiday season,” wrote manager Jerry Ensminger.

Spokesman-Review employees gave $3,039.65, the proceeds of a sale.

Michael Altringer, of Spokane, donated $1,000.

Harold and Sharon Cathcart, of Colbert, donated $500, as did an anonymous donor, of Saltese, Wash.

John and Patricia Russell, of Spokane, donated $300.

Doug, DJ and Roo Brajcich, of Spokane, donated $250 “in memory of my son and our brother, Scott, who we miss dearly.”

Linda and Tom Dunham, of Chattaroy, sent $200, as did Earl and Mary Ellen Adolphson, Joan Hathaway and Terrell Buchanan, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Bruised Books, of Pullman, donated $150, as did Mrs. Schneidmiller, of St. John, Wash.

Gary and Judy Spangelo, of Cheney, donated $100, as did Marcy and Mark Majeski, of Spokane; Pete Sherve, of Northport, Wash.; Tom and Debra Daniel, of Nine Mile Falls; and three anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Rod and Anne Hartman, who recently moved to Spokane after 71 years in the Grand Coulee Dam area, donated $100.

Alice Niemeier, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “As a child growing up during the Depression, I can relate to the many families struggling to provide for their children. May this check help in just a small way.”

Lois Critzer, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of her husband.

Robert and Mary Morgan, of Spokane, sent $100 in honor of their seven grandchildren: Tyler, Jennifer and Carly Morgan, and Matthew, John, Lauren and Christine Coombs.

Joan Williams, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Marianne Daily, “who always gave.”

Leslie and Meredith Hilby, of Liberty Lake, sent $100, and wishes for a joyful and peaceful holiday for all the contributors, volunteers and recipients.

Janice and Curtis Sather, of Spokane, donated $75 in memory of Roland Kjelland. Mary Peer, of Spokane, also sent $75, in memory of her husband, Dennis, “who passed away this year. This is our favorite charity. We have always loved to give.”

Linda and Ronald Helwege, of Liberty Lake, donated $50, as did Richard and Linda Cook, Lynn Samuels, Mary and Michael Cronin, and George and Joyce Schroeder, all of Spokane; Harvey and Irene Peterson, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane Valley.

An anonymous donor, of Cheney, sent $35.

Margaret Swanson, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Fred Lange, of Pullman and an anonymous donor, of Spokane.

An anonymous donor, of Greenacres, sent $20.