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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Donations to Christmas Bureau were fitting tribute to teacher

As a speech therapist and kindergarten teacher, Megan Brinson knew the importance of books and reading.

“She really felt that literacy was the key for kids,” said her daughter, Taryn Brinson League, adding, “Reading opened up so many worlds.”

Brinson’s brother, Dennis B. Magner, said, “She just really cared for her students. When she passed away, we got several cards and very kind words about her from students.”

Brinson died at age 66 on Dec. 16, 2013; her love of reading prompted her family to choose the Christmas Bureau as a charity that family and friends might donate to in Brinson’s memory.

“We picked the Christmas Bureau because it allows each child to have a book,” League said. “Mom was all about kids having books in their house.”

Each year, needy families can come to the Christmas Bureau to pick out a toy or gift for each child and one book for each child through age 14. They also receive a $15 to $30 food voucher, based on family size. Last year, the charity gave more than 15,000 less-fortunate children something to open on Christmas morning.

The Christmas Bureau, organized by Catholic Charities, Volunteers of America and The Spokesman-Review, has been a Spokane tradition since 1945, funded entirely by donations. This year the charity needs to raise $525,000 by Christmas, with any amount appreciated. Many donors send notes or give in honor of a loved one, like those sent in memory of Brinson.

Magner said his sister liked the Christmas Bureau as a charity because “it was well-run and it got help to the kids that were dear to her heart; to make their Christmas a little brighter.”

“She was a very kind and gentle person,” he said. “She made her world a better place because of that love that was so obvious.”

As a teacher for about 30 years, Brinson not only read a lot to her daughter and students but accumulated a collection of children’s books that were passed on to her granddaughter, including many holiday stories, like Jan Brett’s “Christmas Trolls” and “The Mitten.”

“She loved the holidays. That’s what made last year difficult,” League said. “She always had something baking. There were tons of goodies everywhere. She’d spend hours decorating the house.” She recalled her mother’s beautiful holiday table, set with china, crystal and silverware to make her guests feel special when they came for a meal.

“Holidays were important. They were about family. They were about friends. The Christmas Bureau invokes that,” said League, adding that her mother would have loved knowing friends and family had donated to the Christmas Bureau in her memory so that needy children would have the gift of reading.

“I was overwhelmed by the fact that people would do that,” League said of the donations made in her mom’s memory after the fund closed last year. “As I grieve her again this holiday season, it allows me to see the silver lining.”

Donations

Robert Evanson, of Spokane, gave $4,500.

Rick Betts, of Spokane, gave four quarterly donations totaling $2,304.34 via Spokane County United Way.

An anonymous donor sent $1,959.46.

Metals Fabrication Co. gave $1,750, writing, “We appreciate the efforts your organization is making on behalf of the less fortunate in our community.”

The Guy and Ruth Reed Memorial Fund donated $992 via the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.

Einar and Diane Larson, of Almira, Washington, gave $550.

Roberta Evanson, of Spokane, gave $500.

Glenn Breen, of Goodyear, Arizona, gave $485.20

Harold Bates, of Veradale, gave $200.

K. G. Redlin Properties, of Spokane Valley, gave $200.

Michael and Josephine Dix, of Spokane, gave $200, writing, “Thank you Christmas Bureau volunteers.”

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories Inc., of Pullman, sent $200 in honor of Megan Brinson.

Sharon Matthews, of Liberty Lake, gave $193.90.

Paul Giordanella, of Spokane, gave $150, a matching-gifts check via Stanley Black and Decker.

N. Mahoney and G. Matthews, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, gave $100, as did Patrick Wiele and Lizbet Nash, of Greenacres, and Paul and Elizabeth Kennar, of Spokane Valley.

Phyllis Thayer, and Sam and Harriet Van Wyck, all of Spokane, also gave $100.

Bill and Bonnie Robinson, of Spokane, gave $96.80

Blanche Lueck, of Spokane, gave $50.

Gary and Kay Harms, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of Megan Magner Brinson.

Punky Helgeson, of Spokane, gave $30 in memory of Megan Brinson.

The Filzen Family, of Valleyford, gave $25 in memory of Megan Brinson, as did George and Mary Lynn Swannack, of Loon Lake.