Grocery voucher ‘means a lot’ to Christmas Bureau recipients

Retired carpenter Curt Johnson drove a neighbor to the Christmas Bureau on Thursday, but the trip from Davenport also is a big help for his household.

Johnson, 73, said he and his wife are relying solely on Social Security income that doesn’t spread far. He took home a $20 food voucher, and a few extras the bureau offered this year for people who don’t have children at home.

“We’re on limited income,” he said. “My wife lost her job, and she’s almost 62.”

About a year and a half ago, she was laid off from her 15-year job at a veterinary clinic and hasn’t been able to find other work, he said.

Johnson came last year to the bureau for the first time. “It means a lot. I’m not used to that. We’ve always been able to care for ourselves.”

Friday and Saturday are the final days for the bureau at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center.

Funded by community donations and organized by The Spokesman-Review, Catholic Charities and the Volunteers of America, the event distributes books, toys and food vouchers so needy families have hope for a merry Christmas.

The food vouchers toward a holiday meal range from $15 to $30 depending on the size of a household.

Johnson stopped at a table where he could select some donated mittens. He found a stuffed animal, a holiday-decorated penguin that he’ll give to his wife. He showed the gift to his friend and neighbor, 70-year-old Sherry Briggs, who had traveled with him.

Briggs picked up a $15 food voucher she planned to use for a holiday meal with her grandchildren, who live next door to her. She said the two households share in buying food and supplies.

“It means a lot,” she said about the voucher. “It means I can pick up extras for a meal. Seems like everything goes up but our income.”

Although budgets are tight for bureau recipients, more people this year are talking about benefits they’re experiencing now from options under the Affordable Care Act, said Rob McCann, Catholic Charities executive director.

“I’ve talked to quite a few people in line, and one of the things I’ve noticed is the profoundly high number of people who have really benefited from having health care,” McCann said.

“Some of them hadn’t been to see a doctor for years,” he added. “Many of them now have had a year under their belt with health care, and they’re saying it’s a big deal to them. It’s helped stabilize their lives.”

With an average reported household income of about $1,207 per month, most of the charity’s recipients qualify for health insurance assistance under the ACA.

New donations

Jim and Maggie Randall gave $7,500 via Schwab Charitable, writing, “We feel very fortunate to be able to be a part of the Christmas Bureau each year. It is wonderful to know many families will have a Merry Christmas and blessed season. Thank you for providing this wonderful event every year.”

PAML employees and PAML, of Spokane, gave $5,056.18. The company matched employee donations dollar for dollar, the letter said. “Please accept this donation from the PAML employees and continue to do amazing charitable work.”

Walker Construction Inc., of Spokane, gave $2,000.

Larry and Patricia Bishop, of Spokane, contributed $1,000.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $1,000.

Elinor Johnson, of Spokane Valley, gave $800.

Jim McGranahan contributed $650 “in memory of my loving Sheila.”

Gust Abariotes, of Spokane Valley, gave $500 while thanking volunteers.

Robert Kendall, of Spokane, contributed $500.

Bob and Donna Syron, of Clayton, Washington, gave $500, writing, “Thank you for what you do for so many people in our area. What a wonderful example of Christmas joy.”

Virginia Schneidmiller, of St. John, Washington, gave $400.

An anonymous Spokane Valley donor gave $300, writing, “Ever since we moved to Spokane 30 years ago, we have admired this charity and the spirit of selfless giving it exemplifies so well.”

The Fuhs, of Spokane, gave $300.

Steve and Karen Darling, of Spokane, gave $300. “Thank you for making sure everybody receives good food and a gift to brighten their Christmas. Spokane is a loving and generous community we are proud to be a part of.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $300 “in loving memory of Don Kelly who volunteered at the bureau for many years to make Christmas brighter for the less fortunate. God bless all the volunteers.”

Dr. and Mrs. Richard E. Steury, of Liberty Lake, gave $300.

Burt and Shirley Pendleton, of Spokane, gave $250, writing, “It’s truly better to give than to receive.”

Daniel and Kathleen Johnson, of Spokane, gave $250, as did Bruce and Ann Dentler, also of Spokane.

Adam and Wendy Newman, of Spokane, gave $250 via PayPal.

Steve and Theresa Helmbrecht gave $250 cash “in memory of Patti Helmbrecht.”

Robert and Susan Witte gave $250 “in loving memory of Willian E. Witte.”

John and Sherry Gaiser, of Spokane, gave $210.

Bob and Sharon Mellis, of Spokane, gave $200.

Ed Sharman, of Spokane, gave $200 “in memory of Linda Sharman and Christianne Sharman.”

William Beck, of Otis Orchards, gave $200.

Jerry, Dawn and Megan Goertz, of Medical Lake, gave $200 “in memory of our parents Jim Soderman and Herb and Florence Goertz. We hope this will go toward making someone’s Christmas a brighter one.”

An anonymous Deer Park donor gave $200, writing, “Thank you for all your wonderful work.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $187.

Marie Salisbury, of Spokane Valley, gave $150 “in loving memory of H. Earl Davis from his family. Thank you for making it possible to donate to such a wonderful cause.”

Mike and Kathy Eaton, of Spokane, gave $150. “Merry Christmas to all children especially our grandchildren: Samantha, Nicholas, Nolan, Caroline, Michael, Daniel and Micah.”

Charles and Cheryl Fox, of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, gave $150.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $125.

Lloyd and Lola Emter, of Veradale, gave $100.

Dawn Voelker, James Kearney, Bob and Cil LaFountain, and Scott and Sarah Creighton, all of Spokane Valley, each gave $100.

Mel and Gloria McCuddin, Barbara Traynor, Florence Samels, Bruce and Rebekka Higgins, Ryan and Gwen Taylor, Dianne Bongarts, Jenny-Ann Edgren, Harriet and Bill Plucker, Mrs. Howard Pilcher, Robert and Susan Anselmo, Adrienne Goodwin, Mr. Slavens, Larry and Barbara Tobin, Miriam Finnegan, Lois Stratton, Mediation Center of Spokane, W.A. Dittman, and Edward Ellefsen, all of Spokane, each gave $100.

Tony, Patti, Faith and Nicholas Fulgaro, of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “Merry Christmas from the Fulgaros” on a hand-drawn card.

Two separate anonymous Spokane donors each gave $100.

Al and Vicki Falkner, of Spokane, gave $100 with the note, “Thank you for your wonderful work for so many people.”

J. Lance and Joy Griffith, of Spokane, gave $100.

Claudia Kirkebo, dba Lelands on Wall Spokane, gave $100, writing, “Thank you Christmas Bureau!”

Tom and Mitch Solberg, of Spokane, gave $100 “in memory of our parents, Bill and Kate Solberg, and George and Norma McNally.”

Nadine and George Timm, of Spokane, gave $100. Nadine requested the donation be directed at the bureau’s book purchases. “I admire your effort to provide a book to every child served.”

Patty and Mike Hostetter, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $100 “in memory of Kathy Shank and Jerry Aamodt.”

Barry and Nancy Larson, of Medical Lake, gave $100 “in memory of Dottie Smith of Liberty Lake.”

An anonymous donor, address unknown, gave $100.

Jeff and Brenda Danner, of Spokane Valley, gave $75 “in memory of our parents who were supporters of the Christmas Fund, Bob Wilson, Karl and Clara Danner.”

John and Beverly Johnson, of Spokane Valley, gave $75.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $50.23.

Carol Stolp, of Spokane Valley, donated $50 “in honor of dad’s birthday.”

The Anderson family, the Schaubel family, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rader, Myrna Schimmels, all of Spokane Valley, each gave $50.

Kris Spelman, of Spokane, gave $50 “in loving memory of my grandmother Violet Burgunder and great aunt Elsi Altin.”

W.T. and Charlotte Ardiss, an anonymous donor, Wayne and Janice Swanson, and Karen Chicha, all of Spokane, each gave $50.

Vaughn and Marilyn Taylor, of Deer Park, gave $50 “in memory of Bonnie Hughes.”

Joseph and Jean Fay, of Airway Heights, gave $50.

An anonymous donor, address unknown, gave $50.

Jan Knapp, of Oldtown, Idaho, gave $39, writing, “in memory of my loving daughter, Dawn Hunt, I am enclosing $39. That is the age she would have been this past year. As a child, she would shriek with excitement, upon opening a gift. May this give some other child that same excitement on Christmas morning. God Bless!”

An anonymous Veradale donor gave $25, “with warmest wishes for a great holiday season.”

Ray and Betty Fall, of Spokane Valley, gave $25, as did Margaret Hiatt, also of Spokane Valley.

Preston and Carolyn Smith, Robert and Teri Maurice, James and Muriel Tuttle, Joellen Pickens, and Linnea Carlson, all of Spokane, each gave $25.

Julie Rose and her Riverside Middle School students, of Chattaroy, gave $25. The teacher’s letter said, “My students and I would like to celebrate this season of giving by helping others have a brighter Christmas. My class collected and counted $25 of change to make our donation possible. Thank you for doing so much to help others!”

Evelyn Steward, of Spokane, gave $20.

Jean Supinger, of Medical Lake, gave $20.

The Spokesman-Review contributes the processing fee on donations made through PayPal.