Christmas Bureau volunteer answered the call for help

As thousands of online applications to the Christmas Bureau flooded in during October and November, the call went out to experienced volunteers to help process them all. Natalie DuPree was among those that answered.

Like many volunteers, DuPree has a hard time remembering when she started volunteering with the Christmas Bureau, which hands out food vouchers to families each Christmas along with a toy and book for each child.

She knows that it’s been at least a decade and her specialty was doing intake when thousands of people showed up to the Spokane County Fairgrounds to receive assistance during the annual event put on by Catholic Charities, the Volunteers of America and The Spokesman-Review.

Of course, this year’s Bureau is different because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The application is online and people will receive toy vouchers instead of physical toys handed out in person. DuPree would go to the Catholic Charities headquarters two or three days a week to help process applications before new restrictions put in place by Gov. Jay Inslee limited that sort of in-person volunteering. She started out helping for half days, then switched to full days.

“They got kind of desperate, I think, and needed the help,” she said.

DuPree is retired and said she thought she should stay and help as much as she could since she had the time. She said she felt safe going to the office to volunteer even during a pandemic.

“There were two people in an office,” she said. “We didn’t do our usual hugs and handshakes and everybody was good about wearing a mask. I didn’t think about it much. I just wanted to help.”

She said she never really considered not volunteering.

“I trusted the people at Catholic Charities to have our back,” she said. “I just never thought about not having that as part of my Christmas.”

Each year DuPree shops for her grandchildren’s Christmas presents and puts up her tree early so she can devote the first two weeks of December to the Christmas Bureau. “My husband and kids are used to that,” she said.

In addition to processing online applications, DuPree would sometimes call applicants if more information was needed.

“They were just so nice and appreciative,” she said. “It makes you appreciate what you have, for sure, in your own life.”

DuPree said she’ll miss interacting with her fellow volunteers and the recipients the most, but she’s hopeful that everyone will be able to come together at the fairgrounds next year. As usual, she’ll get her shopping and decorating done early so she can devote herself to the Bureau.

“That’s my plan,” she said.

DonationsDonations to the Christmas Bureau have been coming in slowly but steadily. The fundraising effort is still in the early days, but new donations of $18,640 have brought the year to date total to $51,243.83. The goal this year, as it was last year, is to raise $535,000.

An anonymous Spokane donor gave $5,000. Burma and Richard Williams, of Spokane, contributed $1,000. “Thanks to everyone in the Christmas Bureau for maintaining some version of this, the finest tradition of the Spokane community, even under the dreadful conditions of the pandemic,” they wrote. “We hope the enclosed donation will help in bringing some cheer to those who need it.”

William and Willa West, of Spokane, gave $1,000. An anonymous Spokane donor contributed $1,000, writing “Thank you for being a part of this!” An anonymous Spokane donor sent $700. Howard and Karen Marsh, of Cheney, sent $600.

Sharon Cathcart, of Colbert, donated $500 “in memory of my father, Hans Johnson, and my mother, Gladys Johnson.” An anonymous Spokane donor gave $500. An anonymous donor from Yuma, Arizona, also gave $500. Neal and Joann Skaufel, of Spokane, contributed $400. “Thank you, Spokesman-Review, for continuing this tradition,” they wrote. Donna Troyer, of Spokane, donated $300, as did the Sisters of Providence.

Duane and Nancy Green, of Spokane, gave $250, as did John Barber, also of Spokane. Kathy Eaton, of Spokane, donated $250 in memory of her husband, Mike. Dennis and Patricia Doyle, of Spokane, gave $250, writing “Thank you for all you do.”

Linda Cannon, of Spokane, gave $200. “I pray the children’s toys and books can be given again this year, though the COVID has brought so many difficulties,” she wrote. Richard and Marylou Chambers, of Spokane, donated $200. Cindy and Bill Jonz, of Liberty Lake, contributed $200. “We are so fortunate and want to help,” they wrote.

Don and Creta Kunz, of Spokane, sent $200. “This year our grandchildren wanted to give to the Christmas Bureau instead of receiving gifts,” she wrote. “We all wish you a very merry Christmas and a new year that brings health and happiness.” John and Kathleen McCarthy donated $200, writing “Hopefully this will help bring some Christmas magic to those in need.”

Christie Anderson, of Spokane, donated $200. Debbie Peterson, of Spokane, donated $200 in memory of her mother, Nancy A. Reynolds. “She loved buying Christmas toys, especially books and baby dolls,” she wrote. Zoe Foltz, of Spokane, gave $200. James Vroman, of Spokane, donated $200.

An anonymous Spokane donor sent $200, writing “Although we are on a fixed income, I always budget so we can contribute to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund. This year the need is even greater than in year’s past. We don’t want anyone, child or adult, to be forgotten at Christmas. We hope our increased donation will help. Thank you for all the good you do to help the less fortunate among us.”

Meredith Hilby, of Liberty Lake, donated $150. Vivian Burrell, of Spokane, gave $125. “Hope you get enough money,” she wrote. “The first time I’ve been able to help the needy. Merry Christmas.” Bill and Patti Howard, of Liberty Lake, sent $125.

Dan Wells gave $100. The Classic Autos and Rods of Spokane club donated $100. Mary Kuney, of Spokane, contributed $100. Colleen and Stan Woods, of Spokane, gave $100, writing “Thank you for all your work to help our community.” Merridy and Mike McChesney, of Spokane, donated $100. “Hoping this helps,” they wrote. “Merry Christmas.”

Cathy Nemmert, of Spokane, sent $100. Megan and Matthew Steinhilber, of Spokane, sent $100 and a child’s drawing. “Thank you for all you do!” they wrote. Mary Beth Thompson, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Jeffrey Griffin, of Spokane Valley. Wayne Swanson, of Spokane, contributed $100.

Longtime Christmas Bureau volunteer Janet “Pinki” Culbertson gave $100 “in memory of my father, Don Culbertson, and fellow volunteer, Cande Webb-Krall; in honor of retired volunteers, Hal and Mick. And to all my fellow volunteers, stay safe and healthy. See you next year!”

Pat Freeman, of Spokane, donated $100. “Thank you so much for helping our community friends have a happy and blessed Christmas,” he wrote. “While this year’s Christmas experience will be so different, you are still doing an amazing job to let all know how much you care on behalf of our neighbors in need. May the Lord bless you and all your families during this special Thanksgiving and Christmas time.”

Margaret Albo, of Spokane Valley, contributed $100, as did Cynthia Miles, also of Spokane Valley. Stephen Ross and Sherri Robinson, of Spokane Valley, donated $100, writing “I read Nina Culver’s article how the Christmas Bureau has to be so different this year because the purchased toys can’t be handed out. We are blessed this year with a new grandson in New York City. We are all well.”

The Medleys, of Liberty Lake, sent $100. Jennifer and Howie Stalwick, of Spokane, gave $100. “Thank you for all you do – especially this year!” Joan Flamoe, of Spokane, donated $100, as did Earl Shaw, of Spokane Valley. Scott and Merilee Robar, of Spokane, gave $100, as did Judith McGrady, of Liberty Lake.

Ray and Machi Fadeley, of Spokane gave $100, as did Mary Cameron, of Spokane Valley. Janet and George Abrams, of Spokane, donated $100. Joe and Becky Kramarz, of Spokane, contributed $100. Edward and Patricia Schultz, of Spokane Valley, donated $100. “As former recipients of handouts during our youth of 40s/50s, we are glad to return the favor,” they wrote.

Leona Dexter of Spokane, gave $100, writing “Thank you for your efforts on children’s behalf! Bless you all.” Rebecca and John Severinghaus, of Spokane, donated $100. Tom and Mary Christensen, of Spokane, gave $100. “Thank you for continuing to give families and children hope, food and toys during these unusual times,” they wrote. “All of you are greatly appreciated.”

Mark Taylor donated $50, as did Marcia Downing, of Spokane Valley. An anonymous Deer Park donor gave $50, writing “We’re sending this because there will be no Teddy Bear Toss this year. We hope other Chiefs fans (Go Chiefs Go!) will join us to help. We look forward to tossing bears again next year! Thank you for the work you do!”

Colleen Warner, of Spokane, gave $50. Evelyn Graves, of Medical Lake, donated $50 in memory of Bill, John and Anne Graves.

William Fatur, of Spokane Valley, donated $40. Tracy Howe, of Spokane, gave $30, writing “Happy Holidays! Stay safe!” Peggy Sullivan, of Spokane, sent $25. Olevia Page, of Spokane, contributed $25, as did Martha Wright, of Priest Lake, Idaho. Marica Ross, of Spokane, donated $25. Peter and Annette Sanborn gave $25. Christi Puff, of Spokane, gave $25.

Teresa Murphy, of Pendleton, Oregon, gave $20. “May this small contribution be used to assist needy children in the Spokane area,” she wrote. Del Liljegren, of Spokane Valley, contributed $20. Janet Brown, of Spokane, donated $20. Alan Fisher, of Cheney, gave $10.

If you go

Apply: Apply online at https://www.cceasternwa.org/christmas-bureau to receive a grocery store voucher.

Toys: Those who have already applied online and are in need of toys can send an email to christmas.bureau@cceasternwa.org. Do not put in a second application. Put “Toy Voucher” in the subject line and include your name, address, phone number and three or four sentences about your circumstances. Vouchers will be distributed on a first come, first served basis to those in the most need and it’s likely that not everyone will receive a toy voucher.

How to donate

By mail: Checks may be mailed to The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund, P.O. Box 516, Spokane, WA 99210.

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

Online: Visit www.spokesman.com/sections/christmas-fund and click the PayPal button.

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.