‘I’m blown away’: Christmas Bureau impresses large donor with its attention to detail
The Christmas Bureau has been supported by the community every year since its inception in 1945, in its endeavors to supply families in need with a Christmas dinner and gifts for the children. Some of those donors return year after year, their support spanning decades.
One of the largest annual donors is Travis Pattern and Foundry of north Spokane, which has recently been donating $40,000 a year instead of hosting a Christmas party for its 500-plus employees. The company makes aluminum, brass and iron products that are used in a wide variety of industries.
Vice President Dan Garske was among the company representatives, including family members, who stopped by the Christmas Bureau Friday to take a tour and volunteer in the toy bagging area. Garske said he can’t remember how long the company has been donating to the Christmas Bureau, but said it’s been at least 30 years. The idea to donate the money came when it became impractical for the growing company to keep hosting an employee Christmas party, he said.
“Instead of spending all that money, let’s give it to someone who needs it,” he said.
The Christmas Bureau is a joint effort by Catholic Charities, Volunteers of America and The Spokesman-Review. On Friday, Catholic Charities CEO Rob McCann gave the Garskes a tour of the Christmas Bureau as families either shopped for their children or waited in line.
McCann talked about the efforts to decorate the building and provide live holiday music.
“We try to make it look as nice as possible,” she said.
Garske learned about the book and toy -buying process and how volunteer buyers spend all year preparing for the event. He also learned that SNAP and the Department of Social and Health Services have staff on site to provide assistance and that volunteers can also refer people to other programs run by Catholic Charities that they might need.
“I’m blown away,” Garske said. “This is awesome. I had no idea they did all this.”
His wife, Shana Garske, said it was great that the event provides help to those in need.
“They are so organized,” she said.
Garske said he kind of knew what the Christmas Bureau did, but didn’t really know all the details or the extent of the help provided.
“I knew that it went to families in need,” he said. “To me, knowing that it goes to the kids is even better.”
Garske and his wife helped recipients bag up their toys and books before leaving, wishing each a Merry Christmas.
Also helping in the toy bagging area was Dave Martin of MB Generational Wealth. He was also impressed by his first look at how the Christmas Bureau works.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “The amount of logistics and amount of volunteer work needed to pull this off is monumental. I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Donations
Donations to the Christmas Bureau are coming in slowly but steadily, with new donations of $32,136.35 bringing the year-to-date total of $268,516.50. However, Christmas Day is only a week and a half away, and there’s a lot more to be done to reach the goal of $600,000 to pay for the grocery store vouchers, toys and books being given away at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center.
TestComm LLC, of Spokane, donated $5,000. The Fosseen Foundation, of Spokane, gave $5,000. “On behalf of the Fosseen Foundation in the name of Randy and Sharon Fosseen, I am happy to be able to send The Spokesman-Review Christmas Bureau a check for $5,000 to help make this Christmas a bit brighter for those families who, for various reasons, are underserved in our community,” Sharon Fosseen wrote. “This last year has been tight for many and any small way to help is another step in the progress of the fund. May this help you meet your goal this year!”
Nancy Evans, of Spokane, sent $3,500.
“Merry Christmas and thank you for your wonderful work on behalf of those who need it most,” she wrote.
An anonymous donor gave $2,500 via Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC.
Joseph Clements, of Spokane, sent $2,000.
Christopher Goddard gave $1,250 via PayPal. An anonymous donor sent $1,200.
An anonymous Spokane donor gave $1,000, writing, “Keep doing your great work! Merry Christmas to you all!” An anonymous donor sent $1,000 via PayPal, writing, “Because of my abundant blessings, I am thankful that I am able to make this donation. I have been donating for several years and appreciate the fact this does go directly to those in need.”
Tim Bristow, of Spokane, donated $750.
An anonymous donor sent $500 in honor of Randi Marsh and Chris Bieker. Robert Arnold, of Deer Park, gave $500. Richard Matthews, of Spokane, also contributed $500. Thomas Albinson, of Spokane, donated $500. William Brown, of Spokane, contributed $500. Thomas and Karen Harkins gave $500 via PayPal.
Mike and Sydney Perrizo donated $500 via PayPal “in memory of Lee and Diane Bergstrom. Merry Christmas.” Geraldine Chalich gave $500 via PayPal, writing, “Happy to provide assistance to the families in need in the area as I remember my late husband George in this holiday season.”
Kassi Kain contributed $500 via PayPal, writing, “To Heidi the Head Elf and all the Christmas Bureau volunteers – thank you for making our community stronger by providing an amazing Christmas for everyone who needs some joy and help over the holidays.”
An anonymous retired newspaper employee donated $335.
Meredith Hilby, of Liberty Lake, sent $300. “Thank you for all you do to help make Christmas joyous for everyone,” she wrote. I hope this donation will get you closer to your goal. Wishing you and all those involved a very Merry Christmas.”
Neil and Brigid Krause, of Spokane, donated $250. Robert Douthitt and Dale Bowes each gave $250 via PayPal.
Annette LaCombe, of Spokane, donated $200. Ed and Sharon Cassens, of Spokane, gave $200. Sheila Bonstead, of Walla Walla, also sent $200. Lois Mundel and Stephanie Jamison each donated $200 via PayPal. Shirley Dicus contributed $200 via PayPal, writing, “Thank you for helping children every year!”
Stephen and Debra Piper, of Spokane, donated $180.
Barbara and Andrew Clark, of Spokane Valley, sent $150. Alan and Deanna Eppinger, of Spokane, contributed $150. Lynda Ensign donated $150 via PayPal.
Richard Shute, of Otis Orchards, gave $100 “in memory of my grandmother, Mary Briggle, who supported the annual Christmas Fund.” An anonymous Spokane donor sent $100. The Ardiss Family Trust, of Spokane, also contributed $100. Becky and Jack Severinghaus, of Spokane, donated $100 “in honor of our family, turtles and Cougs!”
Phillip Shumaker, of Spokane, donated $100. Patricia and Michael Hostetter, of Nine Mile Falls, sent $100. The following people each gave $100 via PayPal: Sally Flume, Phillip Brown, Debra Peterson and Mary Nolen.
Jeffrey Danner donated $100 via PayPal, writing, “We are pleased to once again support the tradition started by our parents long ago. We’ve enclosed our donation in their memories: Karl Danner, Clara Danner, Robert Wilson, Bea Wilson and Dee Brown. They loved this time of year and your annual effort.”
Brian and Maren Bofenkamp, of Spokane, gave $50, writing, “Thanks for all you do!”
The restaurant staff at the Spokane Airport Hilton Garden Inn donated $50. An enclosed letter read, “On behalf of the restaurant staff I am pleased to pass on the donation to your organization. We are happy to support programs for children and the efforts that go into putting it on. Please accept this $50 to spread joy this holiday season for the families in need. We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.”
The letter is from F&B manager Randi Davis, line cooks Warren Kaplin, Tim Trevino and David Stuart, servers Meredith Migliuri, Jennifer Povlish, Carmen Fowler and Merriah Wernsdorfer, server/dishwasher Kelvis McKenzie, hostess Aleni Valadez and prep cook/dishwashers Dan O’Leary, Mendina Remwele and Sarah Cellano.
Vickie Borer gave $50. Rita Goehner, of Spokane, also contributed $50. “Wish this could be more,” she wrote. Darcy Hardin-Reichert gave $50 via PayPal.
William and Deanna Schneider, of Spokane, donated $35.
Lori Bryant contributed $25 via PayPal, writing, “As a volunteer I see first hand the incredible gift the Christmas Bureau is.”