Christmas Bureau: Volunteering continues family legacy for local couple, sister-in-law
Spending time with family is important to many people at Christmas, and a local family has found a way to do that at the Christmas Bureau while also honoring a family member.
Paul Dodroe, his wife, Maureen, and his sister-in-law Beate Christoph are in their second year volunteering at the Christmas Bureau, which provides a grocery store voucher and toys and books to families in need. They began their annual effort in honor of his mother, Colleen Dodroe, who volunteered with the Christmas Bureau for many years before she died in 2018. One of the sponsors of the Bureau is Catholic Charities, and volunteering at the Christmas Bureau was a natural fit for the lifelong Catholic, he said.
“She used to volunteer at House of Charity,” he said. “She didn’t like sitting around the house. She wanted to keep busy.”
Dodroe remembers his mother speaking fondly of her time at the Christmas Bureau. “It was the highlight of her Christmas,” he said. “She always spoke very highly of it.”
Dodroe, who teaches history at Cataldo Catholic School, is now continuing in her footsteps. On Saturday, he was checking paperwork to make sure people had the correct number of gifts as they exited the toy room. He said he was impressed by the quality of the toys and how organized the Bureau is.
“I guess my mom did this job as well,” he said. “People are very polite. It’s a cool operation.”
His wife, Maureen, was stationed behind a table piled high with toys, ready to help parents find just the right one. “We are toy experts, trying to help people find what they’re looking for,” she said. “It can be overwhelming with lots to choose from.”
It seems that Colleen Dodroe has successfully recruited a new group of volunteers willing to dedicate a portion of their December to the Christmas Bureau every year. “It’s something to look forward to,” her son said. “We do what we can.”
Donations
The Christmas Bureau stands at roughly one-third of its $600,000 goal to pay for grocery store vouchers, toys and books for those in need this Christmas. New donations of $19,897 have brought the year-to-date total to $205,475.08.
John and Kristi Blake, of Spokane, donated $5,000.
The Spokane Regional Plan Center gave $3,000. “Since 1994, the Spokane Regional Plan Center and its members have been proud to donate to this most worthy cause; this year with the enclosed check we continue that tradition,” wrote board chair Jack Johnson. “We hope all those in the community that are considering a donation keep in mind the families and children these donations benefit. They are not faceless causes thousands of miles away, but rather our own neighbors and the need this year is greater than ever before as many face continued health and financial challenges.
“We hope you meet your goal and appreciate the dedication of all those working at the Christmas Bureau, for they make the program a reality. Giving what you can, no matter how big or small the donations, epitomizes the true spirit of Christmas and provides a blessing for those in need within our community.”
An anonymous Valleyford donor gave $2,500, writing “Enclosed please find our annual contribution to the Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, where we wish Catholic Charities and the volunteers of this wonderful cause a very joyful and warm Christmas season.”
Mark and Valerie Sonderen, of Spokane, donated $1,250. “Thank you for all your work and planning to open the Christmas Bureau,” they wrote. “We so appreciate the opportunity to help provide a Christmas celebration for families in our community. Wishing you many Christmas blessings.”
An anonymous donor sent $1,000. Michael and Susan Livingston contributed $1,000 via PayPal, as did Peter Witherspoon.
Gary Allen, of Spokane Valley, donated $500 in memory of Cheryl K. Allen. An anonymous Millwood donor gave $500. Jeff and Kim Brown, of Mead, sent $500.
An anonymous Spokane donor sent $250, writing “We are grateful and blessed to have the opportunity to help.” Dennis Dowling, of Rosalia, gave $250 “in memory of mother Marie.” Ted and Sandy Vogelman, of Spokane, sent $250.
Denise Mutschler, of Cheney, donated $200. Jessie Norris and Barry Chapman, of Spokane, sent $200. Annette LaCombe, of Spokane, gave $200. Bonnie Nelson, of Spokane, contributed $200, writing “Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for your part in this.”
Virginia and Craig Pearsall, of Spokane Valley, contributed $150 in memory of Vivian Bunell. “Thank you for all you do,” they wrote. Jay Sciuchetti gave $150 via PayPal. An anonymous donor contributed $150 via PayPal.
Marykay Mace donated $107 via PayPal.
Lois Richardson, of Spokane, sent $100. Don and Vicky Gorder, of Buckeye, Arizona, gave $100. Susan and Allen Hoover, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Cynthia Miles of Spokane Valley. Susanne Grainger, of Spokane, contributed $100, as did Barbara and Andrew Clark of Spokane Valley. Two anonymous Spokane donors each sent $100.
Jim and Margo Walesby, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Michael and Sandra Povich of Spokane. Rich Tschirgi and Sheela Steele, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Cyrus McLean of Spokane.
Barry and Deborah Cross, of Spokane, sent $50. “Thank you for your yearly efforts to make the new year a happy and safe one for all the folks that need that added level of support, especially now during the Christmas season,” they wrote. “We are proud to contribute this year as we have the past several years. As before, the Cross family would like this donation to be made in the memory of Ryan A. Cross.”
John Kent and Jacquelin Richardson, of Spokane, donated $50. George Durgin donated $50 via PayPal, as did Linda White, Konny Sinton and P. Adriane Schaeffer.
Ann Carey, of Spokane Valley, gave $40.