As donations grow, so do lines at Bureau

The number of poor people going to the Christmas Bureau for help with their holiday celebrations set more records Thursday, according to bureau workers.

Nearly 1,250 families received food vouchers and toys for 2,244 children in the second of 10 days of operation at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. The number of families served is 37 percent higher than the number helped in the first two days last year. The number of toys given out already was up 23 percent.

Volunteers said they repeatedly heard recipients say their unemployment benefits had run out and they needed help with Christmas this year for the first time.

The line of people grew quickly after the bureau opened Thursday. Throughout the day the line extended from the Ag Building to Havana Street, said volunteer Mary Scarpelli.

“They were in a good mood, despite waiting a long time,” she said.

Scarpelli worked in the toy rooms Wednesday and said she was too busy to even notice long lines. This is her second year volunteering at the charity.

“Today I just spent the day trying to get people out of the cold and talk to them so they don’t get frustrated. There were a lot of babies and toddlers here today,” she said.

“The toys are going so fast,” volunteer toy buyer Judy Thies said. She and fellow toy buyer Janelle Kortlever worked as the last recipients of the day made their selections.

“We try to stay and restock the tables at the end of the day, but we were so tired yesterday, we came in and did it this morning,” Kortlever said. “I just went home last night, skipped dinner and went right to bed.”

While bureau organizers expect the need to continue to run high, donors continue to respond with generosity. They gave another $12,750, bumping the fund to $196,562.

Following are the donors and what they gave:

Metals Fabrication Co., of Spokane, sent $5,000 and a letter: “Metals Fabrication Company is pleased to once again contribute to this excellent Christmas Fund to assist needy Spokane families. In difficult and uncertain economic times like this, it’s even more important to step up and help those who need assistance and hope. Thanks for coordinating this fund, and Merry Christmas,” wrote President Todd E. Weaver.

A note and photo accompanied a $1,000 donation from Benson, a much-loved dog on Rockwood Boulevard. “Bailey and Benson have been annual contributors to your wonderful fund. Benson now carries on this tradition as our sweet Bailey died July 9 at the age of 15 years and 1 day. As always, our gift comes with love and wishes for joy and peace to all.”

T. W. Clark Construction, of Spokane, donated $1,000, as did Manito Family Dentistry and Mitchell J. Orsi, of Spokane.

John Baumhofer, of Spokane, donated $500 in memory of his mother. An anonymous donor, also of Spokane, sent $500.

Merle and Dolores Gilmore, of Spokane Valley, donated $300, as did Dennis McMann, of Newport, Wash.

An anonymous donor, of Hayden, gave $250.

Dorene Reynolds, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Ed and Dorothy Humes. Jim Clarizio and family, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of Gino Clarizio, father and grandfather, who celebrated his birthday on Christmas Day. John and Janet Gray, of Spokane Valley, also sent $200.

Irma Moore, of Spokane, donated $125 in memory of her former neighbor, Charlotte Jones, “who always was one of the first to respond to this fund.”

Paul Cottrell, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Tom and Mary Lacy, Robert and Almarie Burchell, Michael and Valerie Adams, Roy Davis Jr., John and Alexis Chasse, Robert and Joyce Bublitz, Ron and Jean Dowdy, and Richard and Karen Steele, all of Spokane.

James and Mary Dunn, of Spokane Valley, gave $100 in memory of Harry and Wilmae McVae.

Wade and Kathleen Griffith, of Spokane, sent $100 and their thanks to the volunteers at the Christmas Bureau. An anonymous donor, of Deer Park, gave $100, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane.

Rob Dietz, of Spokane, donated $100 in memory of Rosalie and Henry Dietz. Paul and Melanie Delaney and Bill Cunz, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of Herb and Jeanette Cunz, “who received great joy from helping those in need at Christmas.”

Ramona DiBiasi donated $96.80 via PayPal.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, sent $55.

Mark Johnson, of Nine Mile Falls, donated $50, as did Mary and Michael Cronin, Nancy and Peter Kleweno, Wanda Freese, Charles and Judy Smith, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

Michelle and Derek Grove, of Spokane, sent $50 in memory of Dea.

Karen Chicha, of Spokane, donated $30.

Russell and Betty Hite, of Spokane Valley, donated $25, as did Helen and Poa Babbitt, Eric Gabriel, and Sandra and Larry Neil, all of Spokane.

Margaret Muat donated $23.97 via PayPal.

The Evergreen Ladies, of Spokane Valley, donated $20.