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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

The toys have arrived as Christmas Bureau gets ready to open Thursday

By Nina Culver For The Spokesman-Review

Boxes and boxes of toys and books were unloaded from multiple semi-trucks Monday at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center as Christmas Bureau volunteers worked to prepare for Thursday’s opening.

Boxes from Fisher Price, Little Tikes, Mattel and Hasbro were maneuvered into numbered rows that were marked by tape as everything was counted and double-checked. Beeps filled the air as a forklift unloaded shrink-wrapped pallets for the volunteers to sort and put away.

“No matter what, this is always a chaotic day,” said toy buyer Cheryl Taam.

Crystal Bruce was in charge of row 12, checking the boxes of toys against a list on her clipboard to make sure everything was there. She started volunteering in 2015 when she was an AmeriCorps volunteer working at St. Ann’s Children and Family Center and was recruited to help in the Christmas Bureau’s child care area. “I came out every day and helped out,” she said.

She’s now a medical school student, but she keeps coming back each year.

“I had some time and thought I’d come out and help again,” she said. “I like how everyone works so hard to help everyone.”

Bruce said she’s glad to be a part of something bigger than herself. “It’s Christmas,” she said. “It’s just the time of giving.”

In a quiet corner a small crew used screwdrivers and wrenches to begin putting together the more than 250 toddler-sized bicycles with training wheels. Darcy Kelly gave one a final check before ringing the bell attached to the handlebar. “Done,” she said.

Kelly has been volunteering at the Bureau for three years and this is her second time helping put bikes together. “This is a big production,” she said. “There are so many.”

Kelly said she works as a chiropractor and doesn’t usually work with tools.

“I put people back together, not bikes,” she said.

She was inspired to begin volunteering with the Christmas Bureau by her father, Don Kelly, who was a volunteer with the Bureau for decades before he died in 2013. “I’m just trying to do a little part,” she said.

DonationsNew donations of $6,380 have brought the year-to-date total to $96,085.18. There is still a long way to go to reach the goal of $600,000 to purchase grocery store vouchers, toys and books for those in need at Christmas.

Mouton Wealth Management donated $5,000. “At this special time of year, and especially for our previous little ones, we are so happy to once again help with such a worthy cause,” wrote Rial and Don Moulton. “Out of thanks for our wonderful clients, and in memory of our very special mother, Rial, Don and everyone at Moulton Wealth Management hopes this small token of our gratitude for all God’s gifts help others better enjoy the holidays.”

An anonymous Colbert donor sent $300, writing “Thank you for doing this every year!” Dennis and Barb Bunkers, of Spokane, gave $300. “Great job every year,” they wrote. “Thanks to all the volunteers.”

Bill and Debbie Pierce, of Liberty Lake, donated $200. Linda Cannon, of Spokane, sent $200. “Wishing everyone the best possible Christmas and a merry one!” she wrote.

Kathy and Pat Harper, of Spokane, sent $100. Janet Miller, of Spokane, gave $100. Harley and Melanie Reckord, of Spokane, donated $100.

Tracy Howe, of Spokane, sent $30. Lowell Lehman, of Spokane Valley, gave $25. Shirley and Robert Hillhouse, of Spokane Valley, contributed $25.