Parents make new memories with kids at Christmas Bureau

At 4 months old, it’s Ellie Moore’s first Christmas. She hasn’t learned about  Santa and presents yet, but her mother Brandy Moore, 19, wants to give the baby something special, like any loving parent. This would be hard since the single mom is on a leave of absence from her grocery store job.

“She doesn’t take a bottle yet,” Moore explained, leaning reflexively to kiss her baby’s head while they waited at the Christmas Bureau.

The Christmas Bureau provides books, toys and food vouchers for needy families during the holidays. It’s supported by donations from the community and needs to raise an additional $385,693 this season, with organizers expecting to serve about 9,000 families. On opening day, the charity served 4,156 people, providing toys for 2,348 children.

“This helps me a lot and I’m very thankful,” Moore said. “I want her to have fun and make new memories.”

Once she made it to the front of the line and through ID and address verification, Moore carried her daughter to the book table where volunteer workers were ready to help her select from the stacks.

She picked up a Touch and Feel book and watched Ellie react with studious fascination, her eyes tracking across the page as if trying to make sense of the few words by the fuzzy animal pictures. It was a clear hit that will go out of sight until the holiday.

In the toy room Moore found a toy to delight her daughter, choosing the Learning Farm House that’s packed with buttons that light up and play animal sounds and music.

“She loves lights. She’ll stare at our Christmas tree for hours,” said Moore, watching her daughter react to the lights on the toy. “This is a nice thing they’re doing. They have really good toys for every age. I think every kid will be happy.”

Happy kids were what Robert Stanley had in mind when he used his day off work as a cook to go the Christmas Bureau. Though he works full time, it’s hard to buy presents for four kids after paying bills on about $1,500 a month.

“This saves Christmas for me and my family. Without this, I don’t know what I would do, what I could get my kids,” he said, adding “Spokane is one of the most generous places to live.”

New donations

Geraldine Fait, of Spokane, gave $10,000.

Harriet Goebel, of Spokane, gave $2,000.

R & R Heating and Air Conditioning gave $2,000. “We are very blessed to be able to donate to this wonderful cause,” they wrote.

An anonymous Hayden donor gave $1,000.

Rex and Susan Fuller, of Spokane, gave $1,000, writing “Thank you to all the volunteers and their efforts to brighten the lives of our citizens.”

The association of retired Avista employees continued their tradition of giving with $634.

Spokane donors giving $500 include Cyrus and Janet Vaughn, Donald Tuttle, an anonymous Spokane donor, and Dick and Trudy Raymond, who gave “in loving memory of their relatives and friends who are celebrating Christmas with Jesus,” they wrote. “Blessings to all of you at the Christmas Bureau as you continue your important work for our community.”

Joe and Pam Ridlington, of Mead, gave $300, writing, “We are happy that we can share with our community. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who make this happen.”

Two anonymous Spokane donors gave $300, one writing, “Thank you for leading this very meaningful assistance program for families.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $285.

An anonymous Saltese donor gave $250.

Beverly Massie, of Spokane, gave $250. “Keep up this great tradition. It’s always first on my list. To each of the workers I wish a blessed holiday. It’s a good feeling to be a part of it,” she wrote.

Gary and Sharon Randall, of Colbert, gave $225 in memory of their parents, Pres and Margaret Cleveland, and Lester and Clara Randall.

An anonymous Deer Park donor gave $200.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $200 in loving memory of Daphne Adams: “the Christmas season was her favorite time of year. She donated to the Christmas Fund for many years and it is an honor for me to continue the tradition.”

Spokane donors giving $200 include Joan and Joseph Gagliardi, Johnny and Terry Engleman, and Joseph and Janice Kaley, who wrote, “Thanks to a wonderful group who work very hard to give the less fortunate the spirit of Christmas. God has blessed our family a great deal and extend to all his many blessings.”

Margot Fitzgerald, of Spokane, gave $200. “I applaud The Spokesman-Review for taking on the task of managing the funds for the Christmas Bureau,” she wrote. “This fund is an opportunity for all of the Spokane community to help those in need enjoy the holidays.”

The Colbert Quilt Charmers gave $200.

Spokane donors giving $150 were E.A. Thorpe, an anonymous donor and Michael Pearson.

Richard Morris, of Spokane Valley, gave $150.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $125.

Jay and Marjean Agather, of Coeur d’Alene, gave $100.

Karen Trejbal, of Rockford, gave $100.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $100 in honor of Kasey Lackie.

Spokane donors giving $100 include Clifford Rankin, Ellen Ostheller, two anonymous donors, Annette Lacombe, Frances and Bruce Rogers, H.B. and Louise Pilcher, John and Charlotte Sullivan, Joyce Stefanoff, Morris and Michael, Tara Hamm, V.A. and W.H. Selzer, Valerie and Michael Adams, and Steve and Wanda Daehlin.

Mike and Shani Schmeltzer, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their parents, Butch and Maureen Marchant and Charles and Irvine Schmeltzer.

Robert and Carol Christianson, of Spokane, gave $100 in loving memory of Carol’s mom, Marcia Sather. “Mom always gave her five daughters unconditional love and instilled the magic of Christmas in all of us,” she wrote.

Douglas and Marilyn Rider, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

George and Ruth Swan, of Spokane Valley, gave $100, as did Sally and Walter Bonsack.

John, Debbie and Michelle Melius, of Veradale, gave $100 in loving memory of Frank, Izzy, Joe and Helen.

James and Karol Price, of Spokane, gave $75.

Cyrus McLean, of Spokane, gave $70.

Mark and Linda McFall, of Colbert, gave $50, as did an anonymous Liberty Lake donor, and Charles and Sharon Preston, of Nine Mile Falls.

Spokane donors giving $50 include Bob Rosman, Bud and Lynda Bowman, John and Jacqueline Richardson, Loyce Lewis, an anonymous donor, Lyle Pugh and Susan Moyer.

Gerry Rose, of Spokane, gave $50 in memory of her husband, Arlen Rose. “I appreciate what you do for our community,” she wrote.

Carol Wilson, of Spokane Valley, gave $50, as did an anonymous donor and Pat and Darlene Reilly.

Thelma and George Rowland, of Cheney, gave $40, as did Jeanine and Irving Kiehn, of Spokane.

Debbie, Jay, Zack and Jenna Humphrey, of Spokane, gave $35 in memory of Frank and Vera Romero.

M.L. and C.R. Anderson, of Spokane Valley, gave $35.

Steve and Laura Nestoss, of Spokane Valley, gave $30 in memory of Bill Nestoss.

Spokane donors giving $25 were Patricia Clark, Steve and Sherryl Niska, Thelma Woods, and Tim and Mary Cronin.

LouAnn McClain, of Veradale, gave $25.

Helen MacGregor, of Spokane, gave $20.

Evelyn Stewart, of Spokane, gave $15.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $10, writing, “I’m sorry I can’t send more but hope this helps.”