Donors, recipients hail from all over

The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund is a community charity in terms of both donors and the families the charity helps to create holiday celebrations. The thousands of donors primarily live and do business in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas. And nearly half the 10,000 families helped at the Christmas Bureau live inside Spokane city limits. Christmas Fund donations pay for the toys and food vouchers distributed at the bureau. Recipients must provide proof of need at the bureau with documentation such as Medicaid coupons or subsidized rent receipts. Families are asked to estimate their monthly income and provide their addresses. The bureau gives just one food voucher per address. Last year, more than 4,900 of the 10,226 families helped by the bureau lived in seven Spokane areas: West Central, Logan, Hillyard, Audubon, Shadle, the South Hill and Peaceful Valley. Nearly 160 families were homeless. Most of the remaining 5,100 families came from nearby communities. About 1,500 families lived in Millwood, Pasadena Park and Veradale. About two dozen drove from the Coeur d’Alene area and towns east of the Lake City to the Spokane fairgrounds, where the bureau is set up. Many families learned about the charity from posters distributed by Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America to community and health centers, schools and churches. Catholic Charities and Volunteers of America organize and run the Christmas Bureau at the fairgrounds. Volunteers say many families share rides from outlying towns such as Newport, Chewelah, Davenport and Springdale. Last year the bureau was open on Saturdays for the first time to better serve working poor families. Families coming from farther distances took advantage of the weekend opportunity, with a few coming from as far as Moses Lake and Ephrata. Not all recipients arrived by car. Many took buses, a few rode bicycles, and some walked to the fairgrounds. The average monthly household income of recipients last year was $1,046. This year, donors continue to give generously to the Christmas Fund. Donations of $9,505 bumped the fund to $84,490. The donations were led by a $2,000 gift from Assistants, “an enterprising group of 40 Spokane women organized to assist with various service projects in the community,” wrote the group’s president, Debbie Phipps. “This donation was made possible through fundraisers and generous donations from sponsors and members. We are very thankful Assistants is able to help with the Christmas Fund, especially this year when the need is greater than ever.” Ronald and Shirley Schoenberger, of Liberty Lake, sent $850. “Twenty-two years ago we made our first contribution to the Christmas Fund,” they wrote. “Our contribution was small, but something we were comfortable with. When we made our first contribution, we agreed to increase our yearly contribution by 10 percent each succeeding year.” The Schoenbergers challenged all donors to increase their contributions from past years, and those who have never donated to do so. “Regardless of size, every contribution counts,” they wrote. “Your continued generosity and commitment to the citizens of our wonderful community makes this a better holiday season for thousands of people who might not otherwise receive a gift.” Jeff and Kim Brown, of Mead, donated $500 “for those whose need is greater than ours this year.” Louis Franks, of Spokane Valley, sent $500 in memory of his wife, Vita M. Franks, and their friends, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Burnside. Three anonymous donors, all of Spokane, each donated $500. Peter and Gay Witherspoon donated $400. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $300 in memory of her husband, Bob, and parents, Tena and John. Jim and Jeanette Koppa, of Spokane, sent $250, as did David and Merry Maccini, of Colbert. Larene Haberman, of Spokane, sent $200 and a note: “Again, many thanks for establishing this way of contributing to such a worthy cause.” Scott and Shannon Sevigny, of Spokane, gave $200, as did William and Deborah Pierce, also of Spokane. Sharon Grunwald donated $193.90 via PayPal. Tom and Marcia Leary, of Spokane, gave $150. Lois Richards, of Spokane, sent $125. Maxine Riches, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “Thank you for giving Spokane the opportunity to share with the less fortunate at Christmas.” Agnes Suess, of Cheney, donated $100, as did Vernon and Myrna Shockley, Paula Comstock, Norman and Roberta Green, and the Qwest Telecom Pioneers Lilac City Combined Club, all of Spokane. Two anonymous donors, of Spokane and Spokane Valley, both sent $100. Christine Gamble, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of her husband, Jim. An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of all of her loved ones who have passed away. Susan and Bill Mulvihill, of Spokane, sent $100 and their thoughts: “So many families are being impacted by our rough economy this year, which makes it difficult for them to provide for their families during the holidays. We are glad to be able to help out our community in this small way. We know the Christmas Fund is a very deserving charity that will direct the funds to the less fortunate folks who are in need of help. We wish everyone a peaceful, joyous holiday season.” Regina Manser, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of her daughter, Jennifer, who passed away in May. “Although she lived on a very tight budget, she had a big heart when giving to others,” Manser wrote. “She would be pleased that this gift might help those in need at Christmas time.” Fred and Lianne Inaba, of Pullman, sent $75 and a note: “We’d rather give to your cause than attend a Christmas party or dinner.” Marsha Hansen, of Spokane, also sent $75. The O’Dells, of Nine Mile Falls, sent $50, as did Wendy and Michael Brady, Kevin and Tammy Von Steuben, W. H. Selzer and Eddie Heavner, all of Spokane. Liz Russell donated $50 in memory of her parents, Chuck and Joy White. Marilyn Lloyd, of Spokane Valley, gave $50, “in memory of Ross, a devoted Christmas Bureau volunteer.” Joe Toombs, of Veradale, sent $47 in memory of Lois Toombs. Don and Joy Pentas, of Spokane, gave $40. John, Debbie and Michelle Melius, of Veradale, donated $25, as did Barbara and Michael Dooley, of Spokane, an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.