Christmas Bureau volunteer JoNell Edlin left a lasting impression
Many volunteers at the Christmas Bureau come back year after year. Several have been volunteering for more than a decade.
JoNell Edlin spent just a few years at the Christmas Bureau “but she sure left a lasting impression,” Christmas Bureau Coordinator Heidi Meany said.
Edlin started volunteering at the Christmas Bureau with her husband, Tom Edlin, in 2021. Working in the kitchen, intake, the toy room or wherever they were needed, the couple quickly became a part of the close-knit group of Christmas Bureau volunteers.
“It was kind of her thing,” Tom Edlin said. “She said, ‘Tom, we’re volunteering.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh, OK, I guess I’m volunteering with you.’ And that was it.”
And the couple enjoyed it.
“We were very content doing it,” Tom Edlin said. “She was very happy. She’s always been involved with trying to help children.”
But only Tom Edlin returned for the 2023 Christmas Bureau. JoNell Edlin, 66, died Jan. 24.
“It was kind of hard, because some people would come up and they knew we were married, so they’d come up and say, ‘Well, where’s JoNell? I haven’t seen her yet.’ And I’d break down,” Tom Edlin said. “She was missed.”
The Christmas Bureau was “kind of our together thing,” Tom Edlin said, so volunteering alone was difficult. Still, he said, “I’ll keep volunteering.”
At the bureau, JoNell Edlin’s name was written on a Christmas ornament and placed with a collection of other ornaments arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree. The words “Lost but not forgotten” were spelled across the top.
For the past 10 years, the bureau has set up some type of memorial to volunteers who have passed away.
“Unfortunately, every year we lose a few,” Meany said. “It’s hard, because the Christmas Bureau is kind of like a little family.”
Like volunteers before her, JoNell Edlin is remembered, and she continues to inspire others to give.
The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund received several donations in memory of her, including one from Derek and Linda Werch and family.
“In memory of our dear friend and earth angel JoNell Edlin. Her love of helping others was so inspirational,” they wrote.
Donors Len and Dana Broderson wrote, “in loving memory of our dear friend, JoNell Edlin. JoNell and her husband, Tom, AKA – ‘King and Queen’ of serving others both young and old! JoNell so loved our community and all children.”
Donor Richard Mudd’s message was simple: “This is for JoNell Edlin.”
Donations
The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund is past the two-thirds mark towards this year’s goal of $600,000. Generous community donations of $52,459 have brought the year-to-date total to $413,170.46.
An anonymous donor gave $10,100.
Hotstart Thermal Management donated $7,000.
Red Diamond Construction and Diamond Asphalt Paving together gave $5,000, each contributing $2,500.
Spokane Regional Plan Center donated $3,000. “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… Giving what you can, no matter how big or small the donation, epitomizes the true spirit of Christmas,” wrote Reece Ham, board chair.
BMT Metal Fabrication sent $2,000.
An anonymous donor sent a $1,800 check and a $200 check for a total donation of $2,000. “Thank you for helping make Christmas a special time for so many!” they wrote.
TIPKE MFG. donated $1,500.
Tom Power donated $1,000.
Mark and Valerie Sonderen donated $1,000.
Pam Ness gave $750.
Mary Jones sent $600, “from the Jones family in the Spokane Valley.”
Sally and Tim Quirk donated $500 “in honor of Rob Curley, our amazing executive editor of The Spokesman-Review.”
Don and Linda McClellan donated $500 “on behalf of Spencer, Nathan and Violet for kids less fortunate.”
Three anonymous donors sent $500.
“In memory of Roger Diettrich,” Jessica Diettrich gave $500.
Cynthia Duren gave $500, “in honor of my friend, Linda Solan. She has tirelessly given her time to the Christmas bureau year after year.”
Patricia and Roger Flint gave $500. “Thanks to the Christmas Bureau for bringing all of our donations together to support those in need during the holiday season,” they wrote.
Gordon Keith Mackenzie, Roger and Judith Paine, Craig and Pauline Soehren and Harold and Sharon Cathcart all donated $500.
Patricia Libby donated $300 via PayPal. “I am donating this in memory of my loving husband of 51 years that passed away of cancer in July this year. This is from us and our 15 great grandchildren for Christmas so other families can have something for their families for Christmas.”
Jean Hong sent $300, “in loving memory of my mother Eunhi Hong.”
James Bankston, Joe and Jeanie Hensley, Guy Altizer, Bruce Ottmar and Elaine Vandervert all gave $300.
An anonymous donor sent $300 in memory of “Dr Gary Newkirk, Dr Howard Platter, Dr Tom Osten, Dr Neil O’Keefe.”
Clayton Dunn donated $300. “To my late wife’s priority donation,” he wrote.
The Caldwell Living Trust donated $300, as did an anonymous donor.
Redlin Valley Properties LLC gave $300.
The Centurions Auto club sent $300. “In memory of Henry McGuire who was our brother and former President of the Auto Club. We miss him and hope this donation will bring some joy to those in need,” wrote club treasurer Craig Pardun.
Robert and Peggy Frank donated $300, “in memory of Harvey Waller.”
Anderson, of Nine Mile Falls; K. Vincent Zimmer; Daniel Johnson, of Post Falls; and Kelly Colliton each donated $250.
Jack and Norma Snead sent $250. “In loving memory of our daughter, Shawn,” they wrote.
Prasti Vinje Purdum, Astrid Vinje (Bush) and Michelle Vinje (Petty) together donated $225. The Vinje sisters, who now reside in the Seattle area, spent most of their childhood years in Spokane.
Kim Hagerty and David Saraceno donated $200 “in memory of Helen Saraceno.”
Steve and Eva LaRue, David and JoAnn Schwartz, Ann Shaw, Olinda Martin, Gary and Leanne Brosius, Michael and Susan Hawkins, Patrick and Laurie Thiel, Joan Burris, James and Carolyn Craven, and two anonymous donors all gave $200.
Lola and Dick Lile donated $200 “in honor of Bob and Ellen Houx and Dorothy R. Powers.”
Andrew Castle and Carolyn Takeuchi both sent $150.
The Quilt Charmers donated $150. “Our members want to give to our community in this time of great need and feel that this fund will reach the most people and do the greatest good,” wrote Linda Plett, secretary.
Garnet Dana gave $104, writing, “another year – another dollar – each year I add one to my Christmas Fund – as I age – this May it was 104 yrs. Happy Holidays to all you dear folks – volunteers and parents.”
Cliff and Judie Hoekema and family donated $100, writing, “The Spokesman-Review Christmas Fund has made so many families have a Merry Christmas throughout the years.”
Jim and Lisa Northcott sent $100 “in the name of Andrew Northcott, our son.”
Richard Schute gave $100 “in memory of my grandmother, Mary Briggle, who contributed regularly to the Fund.”
Linda Kershner donated $100 “in memory of Lee R. Kershner and his beloved Charlie dog AKA Chuck!”
Jackie Babin sent $100 “in memory of my parents Jim and Sue Babin.”
The following people also donated $100: Craig and Virginia Pearsall, Heather Greenberg, Nadine Schulte, Frank Puschak, Paul Schmidt, Lynn Yost, Jack and Joan Lawson, Craig Aldworth, Janet Wingenroth, Lois Havlicek, Leslie Wunderle, Sharon Grimmer, Judy Colenso, Michael and Sandra Povich, Lorraine Duffy, Pamela Kennedy, Kay Anderson, David and Lisa Stagaman, Vickie Borer, and four anonymous donors.
Susan Moyer gave $70. “Thank you so much for all the good you do in supplying gifts and food vouchers to those in need here in Spokane. It is something definitely worth donating to,” she wrote.
Beth Daniels donated $60 “in memory of my parents, Don and Carol Daniels.”
“In honor of Ardith Divine,” Julie Cornell sent $50. Cornell made another $50 donation, “in honor of Sue and Duke Cornell.”
Pamela Remmel sent $50 “in appreciation of kindness in our community.”
Judith Morton, Yanxin Liu, Lona Bess, Arrian Sabian, Phyllis Thayer, Lisa Bradley and two anonymous donors all sent $50.
Gratia and Bob Baugh gave $50 “in honor of Terry and Paul Giordanella for their kindness and charity towards other people and animals.”
Ray and Elizabeth Schatz donated $50 “in honor of the upcoming wedding of Heather Perrier and Alan LeMire.”
Christine Bieker and Theodore Stetzik together sent $25.
Michael Bonderenko donated $25, as did an anonymous donor.
Kathryn Cooney donated $25 “to honor the memory of Judy Theis who tirelessly contributed so much of her time and energy to assure that Spokane’s children enjoyed Christmas!”