As a daily bedtime ritual for her two young children, Crystal Morlan sits on the floor between their beds and reads to them.

Cultivating a love of books for her daughter and son is a priority for Morlan, 24, so with the Otis Orchards resident’s recent trip to the Christmas Bureau, she snatched up the books “Time To Count” and “Baby Einstein-Let’s Go.”

“I read to them every night,” Morlan said. “My mom said it’s a really good habit to develop.”

Her husband works frequently out of town as an ironworker, and Morlan cleans houses for extra income as well as part-time office work. She had worried about how to get a few Christmas gifts for her kids, Kairi Anderson, 3, and Axel Hernandez, 1.

“I’ve been trying to do cleaning jobs to pay for Christmas presents for the kids,” she said. “My ex called me and said I should check out the Christmas Bureau. This is my first time here.”

After paying rent and a car payment, “we’re just squeaking by,” she added.

At the bureau, Morlan selected a flat-bed truck hauler toy and a roll-out piano as gifts that her children will share, along with a $25 food voucher.

“This means a lot because I was really worried I’d be able to get them something from me,” she said. “It’s one of those little things that restores your faith back in people.”

Morlan’s visit to the bureau around 10 a.m. took some juggling, starting at 6 a.m. That’s when she had to start getting herself and the children ready.

Drop-off time for her daughter at preschool had to be before 8:45 a.m., and then Morlan drove to the Spokane County fairgrounds with Axel. While waiting to get paperwork straightened out, Morlan watched the time. She had to leave in time to drive back across town to her daughter’s preschool by 11:45 a.m. to pick her up.

Kairi is enrolled in East Valley’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program.

Later that day, Morlan stopped with the kids at her aunt’s house for a cleaning job. After dinner, they watched the “Minions” movie, and then by 8:30 p.m., an alarm goes off signaling for the kids to start getting into their pajamas. It’s time to settle in bed for reading.

Her day wasn’t done, however, she said later this week.

“Once they fell asleep, I went down and got some work done,” Morlan said.

Each year, the Christmas Bureau helps families like Morlan and her children, and donations to the charity make that all happen. This year’s fundraising goal is $525,000.

New donations

M. Chase Midtlyng, of Spokane, gave $250 via PayPal.

Gunhild Clegg, of Spokane, gave $200. “Please accept the small donation to your fund. I am so glad I can still add to it so others can feel the joy I felt many, many years ago when strangers left gifts at our door.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $200. “To all of those who volunteer in the service of others, particularly the children in our community.”

Lloyd and Harriet Jacobson, of Spokane, donated $200. “To help bring joy to families who are struggling as my family struggled in the Great Depression.”

Donna Quigley, of Spokane, gave $200. “On behalf of my daughter, Mary Huntington, I would like to donate $200 to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund for my Christmas present to her.”

Tom Mewborn, of Spokane, gave $200 via PayPal.

Ken Gerard and Lynda Ensign, of Clayton, Washington, donated $200.

S.K. Czernik, of Airway Heights, donated $200, writing “Thank you for giving happiness to so many during the Christmas season.”

Mary Kay Eddy gave $200 cash.

An anonymous donor in Surprise, Arizona, gave $155 “in memory of Dorothy Gordon.”

Jeffrey Utesch, of Veradale, gave $150.

Christina Marino and Phillip Jones, of Spokane, gave $150.

Bob Goede gave $146 cash.

Helen Marksbury, of Spokane, gave $125 “in memory of Bob.”

Leslie Hilby, of Liberty Lake, gave $125.

Spokane Branch of American Association of University Women gave $119.09. “The odd amount is significant in that it reflects the founding year, 1909, of our branch. Throughout our 106-year history, our members have been committed to helping those in our community who are less fortunate … We wish to thank the Christmas Bureau for everything it has done for this community all these many years.”

John and Jody Beck, of Spokane Valley, gave $100, writing “Hug a senior. Hug a kid.”

Steve and Beth Kenney, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

Catherine Jacobson, of Spokane Valley, gave $100 “in memory of my sister and Christmas past.”

Andrea Sharps and Charles Horgan, Don and Creta Kunz, Thomas and Marilyn Reedy, Elizabeth Steven, Kevin and Judy Heid, Jerry and Helen Gillroy, Mari-Lynn Sonner, Rhonda Young (via PayPal), Percy Lynch (via PayPal), and Raymond Zimmerman (via PayPal), all of Spokane, each gave $100.

Marty and Tamera Swager, of Spokane, gave $100 “to pay back in a small way all the people who helped in our time of need.”

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