Christmas Fund: Search for toys begins in January

Toy buyers for the Christmas Bureau do their homework.

Nimble and quick, a bit like Santa’s elves, they research favorites and try to judge what gifts will delight an older teenager alongside the best toys for toddlers.

Longtime volunteer toy buyers Cheryl Taam and Reesie Smith have those maneuvers down, said Christmas Bureau coordinator Judy Lee. They’ve bought roughly 17,000 gift items for the event at Spokane County Fair and Expo Center that opens Thursday next week, running for nine days Dec. 10-19 except for Sunday.

“Those two ladies put their hearts and minds into making sure we have the best high-quality toys,” Lee said. “They truly work a good part of the year to make sure we have an amazing selection.”

Serving roughly 30,000 people, the bureau enables each family to select one gift for minors up to age 17, and one book up to age 14. Additionally, families receive a $15 to $30 food voucher for each household, based on family size.

Smith described a bit of a treasure hunt for this year’s selections aimed at older kids.

“This year, to me, the coolest things we ended up buying were some really cool art sets,” Smith said. “We have watercolor sets. We have introduction to drawing, calligraphy and pastels. We haven’t really had that level of art kits before that are more sophisticated.”

“I feel like we have very nice and varied selections for all the age groups,” Smith added. “We always try to have the same basic toys that everyone wants every year, but we also haves some new and different items.”

She and Taam also found activity sets sure to appeal to science fans, and for older girls, makeup sets along with specialty lotion and bath kits. Selections aimed at younger kids are classics like dolls, building sets and remote control cars.

Also in the mix are sporting goods and popular board games.

Starting the hunt in January and wrapping up close to May, the two women tap into different outlets, including a large supplier that caters to charities, Taam said. They also shop at Spokane area stores, directly with some manufacturers, and online.

“The outlet that caters to charities is our main source, and we are able to get toys at a really good wholesale rate,” she said. “They’re nice toys.”

Overall this year, costs for gifts ran higher, Taam added. “A lot of it has to do with the cost of manufacturing and of shipping.”

However, they’ve scoured for good deals and discounts, stretching donor dollars while keeping high standards for quality.

“We’re careful with our research,” Taam explained. “We go online and find reviews about toys and what people who have bought the toys think.”

“These are all brand new toys,” she added.

Taam can’t wait for set-up day. “For many of the volunteers, this is our Christmas. We buy it so many months ago, so when we open the boxes, it’s like Christmas again.”

Now the Christmas Bureau needs the help of donors to pay for gifts going forward, as well as for books and food vouchers. The goal is to raise $525,000 this season, and donations of any size are welcomed.

Last year, more than 1,400 donors pushed the total to $531,164. This year’s contributions to date have brought in $54,791.35

New donations:

Greg and Ann Hougham, of Spokane, gave $1,000.

Janice Darc, of Coeur d’Alene, gave $300.

Linda Tetrault, of Moscow, contributed $100.

Jennifer and Howie Stalwick, of Post Falls, gave $100.

Jeffrey and Mary Anderson, of Rockport, donated $100.

Jim and Jackie Vroman, of Spokane, gave $100.

Delores Crabtree, of Spokane, gave $100.

George and Ruth Swan, of Spokane Valley, contributed $75.

Estellene Shaver, of Spokane Valley, gave $50, with the note, “My folks Aaron and Mildred Keegan delivered The Chronicle & Spokesman on motor routes for 30-40 years. They always gave to the Fund. Now the Lord has blessed me. It’s my turn!”

Northwest Treasure Hunters Club donated $50.

John and Natalie DuPree, of Spokane, gave $25.

Cheryl Morrissey, of Spokane, gave $25, writing, “We hope you reach your goal.”