Saturday hours help serve working poor

The working poor are expected to represent a large portion of the families who will come today to the Christmas Bureau. This is the second year that the charity, which provides toys and grocery vouchers for the holidays, is open Saturdays to serve those who work during the week.

Recognizing the need for extended hours, bureau organizers scheduled two Saturdays in the 10-day schedule. The weekend operation also allows working volunteers to participate in the charity’s efforts.

Some local companies, though, are encouraging employees to take a day away from the office to work at the Christmas Bureau. Fourteen Avista employees spent Friday at the bureau, working in the toy and child care rooms, on computers and at the identification table.

“Four years ago my manager asked our team if we wanted to volunteer instead of having a Christmas luncheon. That’s how we ended up here,” said Linda Donley, an Avista financial analyst, during a break Friday.

“It’s much busier today, but the last three years I volunteered near the end of the two weeks. A lot of people today said they just need a little extra help this year,” she said.

Donley said she goes home from the bureau with a nice feeling that she’s sharing in a community effort. “There aren’t that many opportunities to be part of something like this that involves the whole community. I am grateful the bureau exists and that we can help,” she said.

Volunteers at the bureau gave out food vouchers totaling $38,431 to 1,293 families Friday. More than 2,200 children will get new toys on Christmas Day, thanks to the charity.

Donations to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund pay for the food vouchers and toys. Donations totaling $13,120 bumped the fund to $209,682. The goal is $495,000.

Based on the first three days of operation, organizers speculate the bills may exceed the goal.

Following are the donors and the amounts of their donations:

TESTCOMM, of Spokane, sent $5,000 and a letter from Manager Jerry Ensminger: “As is tradition at TESTCOMM, we proudly make our annual contribution for the betterment of the Spokane community. On behalf of our employees and customers, we wish for this holiday season to be bright and the New Year filled with hope and happiness.”

John and Janet Peterson, of Spokane, sent $1,000 and a note: “Due to the increased level of need in our community, we are doubling our gift to the Christmas Fund,” wrote the Petersons. Two anonymous donors, both of Spokane, each donated $1,000.

Everett Coulter Jr., and his family, of Spokane, donated $500 in memory of Dr. Everett Coulter and Marilyn Coulter, who both died this year.

Tri States Rebar Inc., of Spokane, donated $500, as did an anonymous donor, of Spokane Valley.

Barry and Carole Jones, of Spokane, sent $300 in honor of their family, including seven grandchildren, “so other families will have a happy holiday and a good New Year.”

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, also gave $300.

Joan Peden, of Spokane, donated $200, as did Mr. and Mrs. Pilcher, and two anonymous donors, also of Spokane. Bonnie Nelson, of Spokane, sent $200 in memory of Alta Yates.

Rick and Sharon Myers, of Spokane, sent $150, as did an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.

Roy and Arlene Waters, of Spokane, donated $125, as did an anonymous donor, also of Spokane.

Richard and Carol Ingalls, of Otis Orchards, gave $100, as did Jack and Micki Saad, Carrie Prentice, Helen and Billy Yokum, and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

June Davis, of Spokane, donated $100, “in memory of our special moms, Mickey and Helene.”

Jim and Carol Monasmith, of Chewelah, Wash., sent $100 and their gratitude for making it possible to help make Christmas a happy time for others.

Carol and Robert Lingow, of Spokane, gave $100 in memory of their daughter, Carrie, “who so loved the spirit of giving to others during the Christmas season.”

Gary and Mary Anne Solberg, of Mead, donated $100 in honor of their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Barry Benoit, of Hauser, Idaho, donated $50, as did Carol Wilson and two anonymous donors, all of Spokane.

Ben Schudel Jr., of Spokane, sent $50 in memory of Ruthann Schudel.

Scott Rasmussen, of Spokane, donated $50 through an employee designation program at Inland Empire Paper Co.

The Zion Lutheran Church Women, of Fairfield, donated $40.

An anonymous donor, of Spokane, gave $30.

Diana Barry, of Spokane, sent $25 in memory of Dale Conboy.

Bill and Dianne Kersey, of Spokane, donated $25, as did Howard and Kerri Sullivan, and an anonymous donor, all of Spokane.