Earthworks helps out the Christmas Bureau with carboard charity

Fri., Dec. 5, 2025

By Nina Culver For The Spokesman-Review

If You Go

The Christmas Bureau

Where: Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St.

Times and dates: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 11Thursday, Dec. 12, 13 and 18. From 3 p.m.to -7 p.m. on Dec. 15-17. Closed Sunday, Dec. 14.

ID requirements: Each adult and child who receives holiday support from the Christmas Bureau must meet identification requirements. Income is not verified.

For children (ages 17 and younger), bring a document from a school, day care center or social service agency verifying each child’s name and date of birth. An insurance card or WA Apple Health Statement is acceptable. Birth certificates may only be used to verify date of birth.

How to donate

By mail: Checks may be mailed to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 516, Spokane, WA 99210. Donations must be received by Dec. 29.

In person: Bring your donation to the lobby of The Spokesman-Review at 999 W. Riverside Ave. by Dec. 29. Please mark prominently, CHRISTMAS FUND. If you would like a receipt sent to you, include your mailing address or email address.

Online: Visit www.christmasbureauspokane.org and click the Donate button. Donations must be made by Dec. 26 to allow time for processing.

If you’d like us to send you a receipt for your donation, make sure to include your mailing address in PayPal’s comment box. If you’d like a receipt via email, just include a valid email address. In either case, we won’t share your information with anyone or use it for any other reason. And feel free to use the comment box to tell us anything you’d like.

Questions?

Email The Spokesman-Review at christmasfund@spokesman.com.

The Christmas Bureau has often been called a fine-tuned machine, with hundreds of volunteers and several local companies coming together to make sure the distribution of grocery store vouchers, toys and books goes smoothly.

Books and toys are hauled from storage to the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center and then back again, if necessary. All those toys and books are, of course, loaded into boxes that have to be disposed of once they are emptied.

That is where Earthworks Recycling comes in, owned by Joe Schrock for the past 45 years. His company picks up and disposes of all the cardboard boxes the Christmas Bureau empties at no charge.

What typically happens is that the cardboard is picked up, compacted into bales and held until there are enough to fill a semi truck. Then it is sold and shipped to a mill, where it is repulped and turned into more cardboard.

“Some years, the cardboard is on the plus side, and sometimes we lose money, but that’s fine,” Schrock said.

Schrock grew up in the tiny town of Hartline and remembers reading stories in the newspaper every year about the Christmas Bureau. So when the Christmas Bureau reached out about 15 years ago to ask if he could help them recycle their cardboard, Schrock happily said yes.

“It seemed like an easy way to help a charity I’d read about my whole life,” he said. “This endeavor is helping thousands of people.”

Schrock said he has visited the Christmas Bureau once or twice, but usually just sends his drivers to pick up the cardboard.

“Everyone is so friendly,” he said. “Everyone is happy we’re helping them. It makes you feel like you’re part of something a lot bigger.”

Donations

New donations of $4,904.74 have provided a small bump up in the year-to-date total of $109,848.29. The goal is to collect $600,000 to pay for the grocery store vouchers, toys and books given to families in need.

Mike and Sue Livingston gave $1,000 via PayPal. Patrick Cerutti contributed $500 via PayPal.

Bill Molsberry sent $400 via PayPal, as did an anonymous donor.

Edward and Carolyn Knott, of Liberty Lake, donated $250. Jane Scott contributed $250 via PayPal.

Daniel Muhm gave $200 via PayPal, as did Anne Montgomery.

Howie and Jennifer Stalwick, of Spokane, donated $150 via PayPal, writing, “Thank you for all you do year after year after year. Jennifer’s parents, Lois and Vernon Thomason, were longtime volunteers in the Christmas Bureau.”

John Downey, of Spokane, gave $125, as did Alexis Nelson, of Spokane.

Mary Weller contributed $100 via PayPal, writing, “Thank you for all your loving hard work. Blessings on all who receive.”

Lisa Reuter also sent $100 via PayPal. “Thank you for all you do!” she wrote. Patricia Huggins gave $100 via PayPal as well, writing, “Merry Christmas from Patricia and Richard Huggins in memory of their parents.”

Shannon Brattebo donated $100 via PayPal, writing, “Merry Christmas! The Brattebo family.” Jenny Ann Edgren sent $100 via PayPal “in honor of Greg Saporita, who gave me the gorilla (stuffed animal) that got me to the Christmas Bureau.”

The following people each donated $100 via PayPal: Paul Schmidt, Virginia Fabbe, Patricia Leader, Eddy Nagashima, Grace E.C., Jeri McGuire, Jim Thomson and Jane Reed.

Mary Clute gave $50 via PayPal, writing, “It’s been a tough year for many. Hope this helps a bit!” Susan Wotring sent $50 via PayPal. “Thank you for all you do,” she wrote.

The following people each donated $50 via PayPal: Brenda Clark, Eric Worden, Charles Booth, Constance That and Kristen Heaton.