Bureau opens today

If past years are any indication, families will begin lining up outside the Christmas Bureau several hours before dawn. The bureau opens today at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center and will give away Christmas fixings to thousands of needy people before it closes for the season on Dec. 20.

Dozens of volunteers finished final preparations late Wednesday afternoon. Bureau director Karen Orlando narrowed the entrance to the child care area by moving a makeshift wall of rails and curtains. The sound system was tested and the first of hours of holiday carols, “O Holy Night,” began playing. A volunteer paused at the children’s book table to straighten a couple of stacks.

The distribution end of this annual charity is ready to go, but the fundraising end still is a long way from the goal of $485,000. Donations of $4,935 brought the Christmas Fund to $79,353.75. The Christmas Fund pays for the toys and food vouchers given out at the Christmas Bureau.

Donations of all amounts are welcome. The charity represents the community’s Christmas gift to its most needy.

Among the donations was $5 from an anonymous donor, who included the following letter:

“For many years, when my children were small, the Christmas Bureau was there to help us. We had very tough times back then financially and the assistance was greatly appreciated, along with the wonderful, cheerful attitudes of all the volunteers.

“I now have a new little one, a 17-month-old daughter, and am in a better place financially due to a college degree and a successful career with the same employer for 10 years,” she wrote. “I would really like to donate more than what is enclosed but feel it is a start and hope that in the coming years I can increase my donation amounts by much more. Thank you for all of the help during those tough times and for the smiles every Christmas season.”

Following are the other donors and their donations:

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $500.

Pediatric Associates of Spokane sent $300.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, donated $300 in memory of Belle.

Jon and Valerie Eliassen, of Otis Orchards, donated $250.

Joe and Pam Ridlington, of Mead, donated $200, as did James and Anna Pryor, and Orval and Anita Janssen, all of Spokane.

Vernon and Myrna Schockley, of Spokane, gave $200 in memory of Myrtle Ohman. “This is our first Christmas without our mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She was so special to all of us and she is missed,” they wrote.

Richard and Lucille Hallett, of Spokane, brought $160 to the newspaper.

Michael and Doreen Lewis, of Spokane Valley, donated $150, as did Steve and Judy Mongelluzzo, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.

David and Kay Stoltz, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Dorothy and Robert Johnson, Marjorie Black Peterson, Tom and Mary Lacy, and Gail Harper, also all of Spokane.

Marlene and Lee Mauer, of Spokane, sent $100 and a note: “As new members of the community, we applaud your efforts to make Christmas better for those in need.”

Tom and Marcia O’Leary, of Spokane, donated $100, as did two anonymous donors, also of Spokane, an anonymous donor, of Colbert, an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley, and an anonymous donor, of Mead.

Dawn, Megan and Jerry Goertz, of Medical Lake, donated $100 in memory of Herb and Florence Goertz. “May our donation help some needy families and individuals to have a merry Christmas,” they wrote.

Leo Wood, of Mead, sent $75, as did Richard Siers, of Spokane, and an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.

Werner and Marlene Westhoff, of Spokane, sent $50, as did Ralph and Sandra Laws, of Cheney; Craig and Phyllis Adams, Joan Pribnou, Peggy and Charles Estey, and an anonymous donor, also all of Spokane.

Alan and Deanna Eppinger, of Spokane, donated $35.

Marilyn Miller, of Spokane, donated $30, as did Michael and Kathleen Suenkel, also of Spokane; and Shirley Schoenleber, of Spokane Valley.

Maxine Reitmeier, of Spokane, donated $25 in memory of Elbert Reitmeier. Wayne and Nancy Wright, of Spokane, gave $25, as did Betty Collin, Shirley Nelson, Jane Tarbert, and an anonymous donor, also all of Spokane.

Bill and Connie Lester, of Spokane, gave $25 in memory of Flo Leaf and Bess Timerson. An anonymous donor, of Liberty Lake, also sent $25.

An anonymous donor brought $20 to the newspaper.