Community helps Christmas Bureau reach fundraising goal

For the 10th year in a row, the Christmas Bureau made its goal. On Christmas Day the fund still had a $15,000 shortfall but contributions from 68 new donors pushed it to $531,164.12. It’s an achievement of community generosity that organizers don’t take for granted.

Though Spokane has supported the charity for decades, it doesn’t always raise the hoped-for funds that pay for books, gifts and food vouchers that are distributed to needy families.

In 2003, for example, on Christmas Day the fund still needed almost $60,000 to meet the $500,000 goal. Over the next four days the community rallied and narrowed the gap, though ending $17,000 short.

When that happens organizers regroup.

“We hope to make it up the next year,” said Marilee Roloff, CEO of Volunteers of America, which organizes the charity in partnership with Catholic Charities and The Spokesman-Review.

Each year organizers set the fundraising goal based on how many families it served the previous year, how much the community donated and the current cost of toys and books. “It’s not a science,” said Roloff, adding that the number of needy families is obviously tied to the economy, which she’s encouraged to see improving.

During the heart of the recession she said staggering numbers of new recipients waited in line, telling tales of lost jobs, foreclosed homes and financial hardship. Though Spokane was generous, the donations couldn’t keep pace.

To ensure the charity could continue, organizers reduced the food voucher amount. Costs are already kept to a minimum, thanks to hundreds of volunteers and strategic shopping that stretches donor dollars as far as possible.

The rest, said Roloff, is “a wing and a prayer. You live on faith that you’ll bring in enough for the vouchers.”

That’s why when more than 1,700 donors gave $57,000 above the goal last year, organizers sighed with relief. After tight recession years, that extra money provided a buffer against rising costs and an uncertain future.

No one knows how many needy families will wait in line to pick out a book and gift for each child and receive a $15 to $30 food voucher toward the cost of a holiday meal. This year the bureau served 30,208 people from 9,111 households – 15,783 of them children.

No one knows how many donors will choose to give, or how much. This season just over 1,400 businesses, individuals, families, and other groups gave from a few dollars to tens of thousands.

Those donations will pay off bills from this season and give a start toward next year’s charity event. To capture every discount possible, organizers are already shopping.

“We have to start shopping now and pay for the toys and books up front. I’ve already bought 4,000 books for next year,” Roloff said with a smile. She’s eager for the smiles those books will elicit at the Christmas Bureau next year, recalling the mom who was so happy to find a book her daughter had asked for but that she couldn’t afford.

“People are so grateful,” Roloff said. “I don’t have the luxury of being in the toy room, but as excited as people get about one book. … It’s really just joyful to be there.”

New donations

The James S. and Margaret K. Randall Charitable Fund at Schwab Charitable Fund gave $7,000. “The Christmas Bureau provides a much needed service to Spokane. We are providing this gift in honor of Tina Genova (Nona) and her family. We also would like to honor all the families that have lost a loved one this year.”

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $1,500.

Dave and Sue Hamer, of Spokane, gave $1,000, “a contribution for the less fortunate and in appreciation of the Christmas Bureau and all the volunteers,” they wrote.

Vickerman and Driscoll, of Spokane, gave $1,000.

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

Robert and Sharon Arnold, of Deer Park, gave $500. “It’s a wonderful thing you do and we are happy to help support it,” they wrote.

Donald and Charlotte Butler, of Hope, Idaho, gave $500.

Valerie and Mark Donderen, of Spokane, gave $500. “Thank you for the opportunity to help provide Christmas joy to those with the greatest need in our Spokane community,” they wrote. “May God bless the volunteers and clients of the Christmas Bureau.”

Other Spokane donors who gave $500 included Commellini Estate Inc., Charles and Tina McElligott, the Comes family and John Altberg II, who donated on behalf and in lieu of gifts to his clients. “Thank you to all of the volunteers who help to make a difference in our community each year,” he wrote.

Hailey Poutiatine, of Spokane Valley, gave $385, collected from the 15-year-old musician’s annual Christmas Eve family concert, and from her saved-up allowance during the year.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $300.

Guy March, of Spokane, gave $250.

Jason and Denise Echelbarger, of Reardan, gave $242.45 via PayPal.

Jim and Peggy Ellingson, of Colbert, gave $200, as did Kathryn Sharp and Wayne Bass, of Liberty Lake.

Jeff and Julie Morris, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Mary Lou and Dick McWilliams, and of Peacha and Ted McFaul.

Sherri Robinson, Stephen Ross, Jennifer Ross and Beth Ross, of Spokane, gave $200. “My family has been blessed so richly the past few years. We are enjoying spending Christmas with both daughters that have lived on opposite coasts this year,” wrote Sherri Robinson, describing how one daughter lives in Boston and had missed watching the marathon finishers. “Life can change in a heartbeat for families. So many of the families that are receiving help this year are working hard, each day is a battle. Thank you for giving them hope and a hand up during this season of hope and light.”

Other Spokane donors who gave $200 were David and Lisa Stagaman, Kathleen Ellingsen, Phillip Jones and Christina Marino, Roy and Claire Steigleder, Stop N Shop on Freya, and William and Jean Norcross.

Chuck, Ruth Hensley, and Doug and Tami Schindler, of Mead, gave $193.90 via PayPal, as did an anonymous Spokane Valley donor.

Robert Zasio, of Duvall, Washington, gave $101.65 via PayPal on behalf of Lola Lile.

An anonymous Greenacres donor gave $100.

Drew and Anna Vanderpool, of Mead, gave $100.

Spokane donors who gave $100 included Carol and Jim Kershner, an anonymous Spokane donor, Carolyn and James Craven, Judy Maddey, Keith Cress, Mr. Kardong, Patt Farley and Ken Yuhasz, Vincent and Janet Monaco, Viola and Everett Martin, Warren Gasbender and Margaret Ivey, and Dick and Shirley McGee, who wrote, “Thanks to all who make this a happier season for those in need.”

Lois Richards, of Spokane, gave $100. “I see that the Bureau’s donations are somewhat lagging,” she wrote. “Accordingly, I enclose my check … which I hope will help you meet the goal. Good luck and best wishes for the New Year to you and all those involved with the Bureau.”

Maxine Kinzer, of Spokane, gave $100. “Blessed Christmas to all of you. Thank you for all the work you do. I’m 93 years old and can’t do that much anymore. God bless,” she wrote.

Ron and Judy Cauvel, of Spokane, gave $100 “in memory of the Cauvel brothers: my father Charles and uncles Ben, Randall and Milton. They each worked at the Spokesman-Review for over 40 years, over 160 years of service. Thank you for all you do for those in need this time of year.”

Helen Widman, of Spokane Valley, gave $100.

Ike and Norma Echelbarger, of Spokane Valley, gave $100. “Thank you for the good job you do. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas,”

Daniel Lucas, of Veradale, gave $100, writing, “with special regards to my late parents Bus and Maggie. We all love and miss you. Love, your Family.”

Amy Green, of Kirkland, gave $96.80 via PayPal.

Spokane donors who gave $75 included Gerald and Susan Zieg, an anonymous donor, Larry Reicherts and Rose Lemberger, who gave in memory of Rita Thares.

Samuel Rosen, of Davenport, gave $50. “You’re doing a good job,” he wrote.

Mark Johnson, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $50.

Spokane donors who gave $50 included Carolyn Takeuchi, Dean and Mary Nagel, Margaret Dingle, an anonymous donor, Mike Yake, Phyllis Thayer, and Janet Gilliam, who gave in honor and appreciation of all the volunteers.

Michael and Gladys Alfano, of Spokane, gave $50 “in memory of my sister and two best friends who earned their angel wings this year.”

Michael and Tambra Vlahovich, of Spokane Valley, gave $50 in honor of their mother and mother-in-law, June Harder.

Ruth and Mackay Miller, of Spokane, gave $30.

Gail Gallaher, of Spokane Valley, gave $30 for Grandpa George.

Gary and Virginia Hottell, of Spokane, gave $25.

Jim Caddis, of Spokane, gave $20.