Big donation day boosts the Christmas Bureau, but there is still a long way to go

The mail bag delivered a gift in the form of $56,884 in new donations for the Christmas Bureau, providing a much needed boost to the lagging fund.

The goal is to raise $535,000 to pay for the food vouchers, toys and books being handed out to needy families this week at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Catholic Charities and Volunteers of America count on community donations to pay for the toys and books they’ve spent all year buying. The year-to-date total now stands at $320,270.59.

The Bureau closes for the year on Friday and people are depending on the community to come through and support the Christmas Bureau for another year. There’s still a long way to go to reach the goal.

The Justus Bag Co. in Spokane Valley donated $10,000. “This December is a unique December for the Justus Bag family and team,” wrote company president Darin Justus. “On December 1, 1959, Justus Bag was founded by my grandfather, Roland ‘Curly’ Justus. We are celebrating our 60th year in business! It was always my grandfather’s heart to help those in need. He was very much willing to give whatever he had to all of those who had less. We want to continue with the tradition of giving to the Christmas Fund. Both Pa Pa and Grandma (Dorothy) always had a heart full of compassion for families that had very little or nothing to celebrate.”

Jon Lemberg, of Spokane, gave $5,000. The Klaue Family Foundation donated $4,500. David Klaue wrote that “the Foundation is once again blessed to be able to contribute to the Christmas Fund. We are very thankful we are able to continue to contribute and be a part of a program that brings joy, brightness and many blessings to the families and organizations in need. The spirit and generosity of the Spokane community has helped many families experience the true meaning of Christmas.”

The Spokane Regional Plan Center donated $2,500. “Since 1994, the Spokane Regional Plan Center and its members have been proud to donate to this most worthy cause,” wrote board Chair Tim Thomas. “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. All one needs to do is read the paper each day to see that the needs of those in our community are great; and every donation is vital for the Christmas Fund to meet their goal of providing a happy holiday for those less fortunate.”

Kilgore Construction in Colbert sent $2,500. Michael Altringer, of Spokane, donated $2,000. Wandermere Community Services gave $2,000. “We appreciate all the work that you do for the Spokane community,” said a letter signed by Treasurer Mark Hund. Don and Donna Rockstrom, of Spokane, gave $2,000 in memory of Lawrence Davis.

Tamara Bryant, of Spokane, donated $1,000 via PayPal. Justin and Tamie Voelker, of Spokane Valley, sent $1,000. An anonymous Liberty Lake donor gave $1,000, writing “Thank you for all you do for our community.” Brian and Judie Mitchell, of Spokane Valley, gave $1,000.

An anonymous Spokane donor sent $600, writing “I send this donation as I have every year on behalf of my family and friends. I have been blessed with so much abundance with those relationships and health. thank you for the good work you do”

Pam Ness, of Coeur d’Alene, gave $500. Tina McElligott donated $500 via PayPal. David Maccini donated $500 via PayPal. “Thanks for all you do,” he wrote. Daniel Lennon, of Spokane, contributed $500. The Stanley and Joan G. Fergin Fund, managed by the Innovia Foundation, donated $500.

Linda Ashlock, of Liberty Lake, gave $500. Lawrence Kiewert, of Deer Park, gave $500. An anonymous Liberty Lake donor sent $500. Sally Bulger Quirk and Tim Quirk, of Spokane, gave $500 in memory of Toddy Edmonds. Melissa Tipke, of Spokane, contributed $500. “May your work continue to be blessed in the years to come,” she wrote. “Thank you for all you do.”

Diane and Einar Larson, of Almira, Washington, donated $475.

Douglas Dominey donated $400 via PayPal. Jeremy Heimbigner, of Spokane, gave $400 via PayPal. “Merry Christmas and Blessings to those in need this holiday season,” he wrote. Fred and Norrine Potts, of Spokane Valley, sent $400.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $310, writing “Thank you for organizing the Christmas Fund!” An anonymous Spokane donor sent $300. Claire Murphy, of Spokane, contributed $300.

Bob and Judy Lee of Sun City West, Arizona, donated $300 “in memory of our grandson, Austin McKenzie, parents Ken and Alice Smith and mother, Catherine Lee.” Mary Kay Eddy contributed $300 via PayPal. Joan and Larry Reuthinger, of Spokane, gave $300 “in memory of our parents, Mary and Joe Reuthinger and Larry’s wife, Linnea Reuthinger. Many thanks for the great work you do.”

Rick Myers, of Spokane, gave $300 in memory of Sharon Myers. Dan and Peggy Jeremiah, of Spokane Valley, contributed $300. “Thanks for all you do for the kids,” they wrote.

William and Georgette Savitz, of Spokane, contributed $250. Scott and Alison Barratt, of Spokane, donated $250 via PayPal in memory of Bill and Bonnie Barratt. Francis Goodman, of Spokane, gave $250 via PayPal, as did Roger Flint of Spokane. Dawn and Dave Voelker, of Spokane Valley, donated $250.

Joyce and George Schroeder, of Spokane, gave $250. “We are happy to donate to such a wonderful program to help our community,” they wrote. The Hensley family of Spokane sent $250. “Thank you for all your hard work,” they wrote. An anonymous Spokane donor gave $250. The Schmidt family, of Spokane Valley, contributed $250.

Bill Fanning, of Spokane, donated $250. Gary and Kathy James, of Nine Mile Falls, gave $250 “in loving memory of our parents and twin brother.”

Dallas and Corine Dixon, of Spokane, donated $200. Richard Cannon contributed $200 via PayPal, as did Thomas Burns. An anonymous donor gave $200 “in loving memory of Annabelle.” Lynda Ensign and Ken Gerard, of Spokane, sent $200. Patrick Sprute donated $200 via PayPal. James and Linda Hunt, of Spokane, contributed $200.

Betty Ellis, of Spokane, donated $200. Julie Wells, of Spokane, gave $200, as did Paul Wert of Spokane. Scott and Connie Brunell, of Spangle, contributed $200. Larry and Tudy Hatch, of Spokane, sent $200. “Great thing for our community, thanks,” they wrote.

The Berger Family of Spokane Valley gave $200 “in honor of Don Kelly, a long serving Christmas Bureau volunteer.”

Jesse Zumbro, of Spokane, gave $180 via PayPal. An anonymous Spokane Valley donor gave $157. Colleen Birchill, of Spokane, sent $150. An anonymous Colbert donor sent $150, writing “Thanks for all the wonderful work you do!” Dalene and James Boone, of Spokane, contributed $150. William and Eileen Dittman, of Spokane, gave $150.

The Tonani Boys of Spokane donated $150. Two anonymous Spokane donors each sent $150.

Chris and Ruth Powell, of Spokane, gave $125. An anonymous Spokane donor sent $125 in memory of Dorothy Gordon.

Mari-Lynn Sonner, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Elizabeth Schneider of Spokane. Anita Cole, of Spokane, gave $100 “in memory of my husband and grandson, Michael.” David Hall, Babes in Baubles, Donna Stovall, Abra Belke and Dan Sterrett each gave $100 via PayPal. Mary Lou Sachse, of Spokane, contributed $100. “Thank you for all you do,” she wrote.

Two anonymous donors each gave $100. Virginia Pounds, of Spokane, donated $100 via PayPal, as did Katherine Strickler. Reinhard Foerg and Erin O’Halloran-Foerg, of Spokane, sent $100. Richard and Karen Steele donated $100, as did Bob and Kathy Bohlen of Spokane.

Ken Benge, of Spokane Valley, donated $100, as did Charles Kallestad of Spokane Valley. An anonymous Cheney donor gave $100. Carol and Clint Allen, of Spokane Valley, sent $100. “Hoping this brightens Christmas for someone in need of light,” they wrote. “In memory of Edward Carrall Allen.”

The following donors each gave $100: Richard Schroeder, of Spokane; the Shields family of Spokane; Duke and Sue Cornell, of Spokane Valley; Naomi Franklin, of Spokane; Jenny-Ann Edgren; and Michael and Sandra Povick. An anonymous Spokane Valley donor sent $100.

An anonymous Spokane Valley business gave $100. Wade and Kathleen Griffith, of Spokane, contributed $100. “My husband and I would like to contribute $100 to the Christmas Fund in memory of my sister, Colleen Brake, who we lost this last year,” she wrote. “Thank you for all the hard work you do to keep this Spokane Christmas tradition going year after year!”

Robert Breidenbach, of Spokane, donated $100. Julie Peck, of Medical Lake, gave $100. Blaine Krebs, of Colbert, sent $100. Jack and Karen Davis, of Spokane, contributed $100, as did Robert Martin of Spokane Valley. An anonymous donor gave $100, writing “Thank you for all of your generous and hard work!”

Sharon Grimmer, of Spokane, donated $100. Marci and Mark Majeski, of Spokane, sent $100. Doug and Priscilla Davis, of Colbert, sent $100 “Just because!” An anonymous Colbert donor gave $100, writing “Thank you for all you do for so many families in the Spokane area who need help. You are a blessing.”

Scott and Christy Morrell, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Gary Allen of Spokane Valley. Dennis and Barb Bunkers, of Spokane, sent $100. “Great job!” they wrote. Tom and Ruth Conklin, of Spokane Valley, contributed $100. “Thanks to all who help,” they wrote. “God Bless.” Konni Dietz gave $100. “Merry Christmas,” she wrote. “Thankful for family and friends and all of you that make this happen.”

Lucinda McMahon gave $75 via PayPal. Michael Hughes, of Spokane Valley, donated $52.

Joyce Kretchmer and William Childs, of Spokane Valley, sent $50. Kathleen Thompson gave $50 via PayPal, as did Susan Wotring of Spokane. Dalton and Karen Jassman, of Spokane, donated $50. Kate Quinn, of Spokane, gave $50, as did Fran Mann of Liberty Lake.

Julia Carrell, of Spokane, donated $50 via PayPal. “This donation is in loving memory of my father, Michael T. Dobler,” she wrote. “My father was a helper who spent many years serving as a social worker at Frontier. May we all find a way to help someone during this holiday season.”

Kassia Kain of Spokane sent $50 via PayPal “in honor of Sierra and Brigid for all their hard work in coordinating the Bureau and their amazing volunteers.” Mike Yake gave $50. Mary and Tom Christensen, of Spokane, donated $50. “Thank you for all you and the volunteers do in supporting those in need in Spokane during the Christmas holidays,” they wrote.

Kathryn Cooney donated $50. “It is such a joy to contribute to the amazing support you offer to our community,” she wrote. “My donation is in honor of the lifelong generosity and service to others during the beautiful life if Judy Thies. She offered steady, selfless and passionate time and spirit to St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities and especially to the Christmas Bureau. The generosity of her efforts to help others remains as her legacy and serves as our inspiration.”

Michael Bonderenko, of Coulee City, sent $50. Jon and Kerry Orcutt, of Spokane Valley, contributed $50. “Thanks to all who help make this wonderful tradition happen each year,” they wrote. An anonymous Spokane donor sent $50, writing “Thank you to all the helpers and other people that do everything for everyone. I appreciate the hard work you do!”

Dudley Mizoguchi, of Spokane, sent $50 in memory of John Traynor and Jon Allan. Jody Leifer, of Spokane, gave $50 “in memory of my mom and dad, Rae and Charles McCain.” Fran Mitchell, of Rathdrum, donated $50. “Being 85 and still alive, I’ve lost so many loved ones,” she wrote. “Too many to name. I want to help your wonderful cause and the great people that help!”

Sheri Barnard, of Spokane, gave $50. “Thank you for making Spokane a City of Light every year!” she wrote. Tara Hamm, of Spokane, contributed $50, as did Jean Flechel of Spokane. An anonymous Spokane Valley donor gave $50, writing “Paying it forward. There’s no better place to donate.”

Duanning Zhou, of Spokane, gave $30 via PayPal. Charles and Linda Ellis, of Veradale, sent $25. Deborah Carpenter contributed $25 via PayPal, as did Mark Schuller. Judy Roberts, of Spokane, gave $20. Dorothy Carter, of Spokane, donated $10.