The Christmas Bureau brightens the holiday for family with premature baby

First-time dad Josh Kiser got quite the birthday present when he turned 36.

It was a beautiful baby boy. He was named Jackson.

“He was so excited,” said Jackson’s mother, Sarah Kiser.

But he was premature, arriving two months before his due date.

The family visited the Christmas Bureau on Thursday to choose new gifts for Jackson and his 9-year-old brother. Each year, the Christmas Bureau, organized by Catholic Charities Spokane and Volunteers of America, gives grocery store gift certificates, toys and books to individuals and families who need some help during the holidays.

Sarah Kiser is a phlebotomist, and Josh Kiser works in construction, but money has been tight following the birth of Jackson.

During her pregnancy and after delivery, Sarah Kiser was hospitalized with complications that could have left her dead.

It was around 1 a.m. when Josh Kiser noticed something was wrong. Sarah wasn’t feeling well and her face had become extremely puffy. She just wanted to sleep it off, but Josh insisted she get medical attention.

“I told her to get in the car,” he said. “I knew something was wrong. She would have died.”

He was right. She had dangerously high blood pressure due to preeclampsia. Untreated, the consequences could have been dire for mom and baby.

Sarah Kiser had been at Deaconess Hospital on bed rest for a week when Jackson was delivered by emergency C-section. Josh Kiser took some time off to help care for their older son while Sarah and Jackson remained in the hospital.

“We were there for a while,” she said. “It was so hard.”

For the first week after Jackson’s birth, Sarah remained on bed rest and was separated from her newborn, who was in the neonatal intensive care unit. After that, they were able to see Jackson three times a day, bouncing back and forth between the hospital and home, as Sarah recovered form childbirth and cared for her older child.

Josh said it was hard for him to visit the bureau, but Sarah convinced him it was for their children. The couple are now working on getting back on their feet, paying down their debts, and rebuilding the savings they were forced to drain.

“She couldn’t work for a long time,” Josh said. “It really put a damper on things. All our bills got backed up.”

But the family is looking forward to their first-ever Christmas with little Jackson, who, despite his stay in the NICU, is now perfectly healthy.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “Super excited.”

And because of the Christmas Bureau, it will be a little bit brighter. Donations from the community to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund make it all possible.

“It’s nice that this is here,” Josh said. “I’m glad there are people doing this.”

So far, generous community donors have given $246,250.18 to the Christmas Fund in support of the Christmas Bureau, but there’s still a long way to go.

As of today, the fund is down more than $33,000 from the same time last year, with $278,749.82 left to meet the $525,000 goal.

New donations

Sara Weaver-Lundberg gave $5,000.

John and Patricia Russell, of Spokane Valley, gave $650.

Michael Flannery and Dean Lynch gave $500. An anonymous donor also gave $500.

Jerry and Paulette Firor, of Spokane, gave $451.

Dennis Hughes, of Deer Park, gave $300, writing, “Thanks for the great work that all of you do and for making it so easy to share in this endeavor.”

An anonymous donor gave $300, writing, “We are so thankful for the great work you do to assure that others have a special Christmas. This $300 gift is given anonymously in honor of two special people who loved giving to those in need. May this carry on to bless others. Thank you!”

William Ross gave $300 via PayPal in the name of Bob and Carol Ross. Douglas Dominey also gave $300, as did Dana and Tami Harbaugh, of Spokane.

Delbert and Ruth Mattix, of Veradale, gave $250, writing, “I grew up in the Great Depression, and I knew the sadness of not having any toys under our Christmas tree in 1937. No child should do in 2016 without having at least a book or simple toy under his tree. You people do a wonderful service. I thank you all.”

Rob and Kimberly Stewart, of Mead, gave $250 in memory of David Carosella, writing, “Dad knew how important this event was to my mom, Tana. She has been a volunteer coordinator for the children’s book tables for many years.”

John and Whitney Sestero, of Spokane, gave $250. Thomas and Nancy Nelson, of Colbert, also gave $250, as did an anonymous donor in Greenacres.

An anonymous donor gave $250, writing, “This is my 60th year giving to the wonderful fund. Thanks. Keep up the good work.”

Another anonymous donor gave $250, writing, “Please accept this donation in memory of my parents, Donald and Lois Johnson, and of my niece, Devin.”

Heather Brennan gave $250, as did William Reynolds.

Debbie Benning, of Spokane, gave $200.

Lorraine, Donald and Barrett Burghard, of Moses Lake, gave $200, writing, “In memory of our daughter, Vicki Burghard.”

Two anonymous donors gave $200 each.

Denise Mutschler, of Cheney, gave $150, as well as Margaret Jones, and James Dallen gave $150.

Joe and Carolyn Shauble, of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “In memory of our parents, Robert and Mary Schauble, and Carl and Edna Magee.”

The Kelly boys, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of Bob Kelly, writing, “The Christmas Bureau was one of his favorite charities. We would like to continue his work.”

Robert and Peggy Frank, of Spokane, gave $100, in memory of Stephanie Ressa.

John and Angie O’Brien , of Spokane, gave $100, writing, “In memory of our parents. John’s parents, Jack and Chotsie O’Brien, raised 13 children – can you imagine what Christmas morning was like in their house? Also in memory of George and Louise Hamill, Angie’s parents. We miss them!”

Two anonymous donors also gave $100 each.

Other $100 donors include: St. Mary Pinochle Group, in memory of Bill Kuch; Gary and Cheryl Allen, of Spokane Valley; Keith D. and Sara W. Gehr, of Spokane; Lois and Oscar Thomason, of Spokane; Barbara Seim, of Spokane; Loyce Lewis, of Spokane; Robert and Pamela Kennedy, of Spokane; Elizabeth and Steven Hitch, of Spokane; Doug Jayne via PayPal; Mark and Linda McFall via PayPal; Gloria Stronks; and Roy and Joey Schmidt, of Cheney.

The following donors gave $50: Eddy and Monica Nagashima, of Spokane; Kathryn L. Sansone, of Spokane; Gerald Krumbholz, via PayPal; and Sharon and John Hopper, of Spokane.

Kris Spelman, of Spokane, gave $50, writing, “Please accept the enclosed donation in loving memory of my grandmother, Violet Burgunder, and great aunt, Elsie Altin.”

Cynthia, Kaitlyn and Kylie LeBlanc, of Greenacres, gave $50 “to help spread Christmas cheer this year. In memory of Helene ‘Nana’ LeBlanc.”

Three anonymous donors gave $50 each.

Angela Lalonde gave $40 via PayPal.

Ruth De Hart, of Spokane Valley, gave $30.

Joyce E. Thompson, of Spokane, gave $25.

An anonymous donor also gave $25.

For donations made through PayPal, The Spokesman-Review contributed the processing fee.