Christmas

Changing Seasons

by Loreen McFaul, Director of Public Relations

 

Yesterday I went to the Christmas Bureau, as I do every year, to work at the ID table. I asked people somewhat personal questions, because, in running a charitable event, we need to have statistics to show Spokesman-Review donors that we are reputable and just how far their money goes. How many children do you have? How old are they? What is the size of your household? And finally, What is your monthly income?

 

They’re pretty straightforward questions. This year, though, I noticed a difference. As usual, moms were excited to talk about their children. Good parents will always put their children first, which is what brings them to the Bureau. But this year, when I asked the income question, I saw the vulnerability and despair leak out with a rawness I haven’t seen before. People had tears in their eyes, and the desperation was almost palpable. “My husband got laid off.” “My hours have been reduced.” “I don’t know what’s going to happen next month.”

 

How many families are in that place, or close to being there? And how many people are too proud to come to the Bureau? How many people aren’t we serving that we could be, should be, because they don’t have the bus fare to come to the Bureau? Or because they’re hanging onto that job and can’t get free? We’re doing the best we can with the resources we have. I truly believe that. There are a lot of charities asking for money these days, and it’s important that we give to the charities that make the money go the farthest.  If the bottom falls out on the charitable organizations, it puts this whole vulnerable population at a greater risk, because we know how to do this work, and we do it well; and they truly have nowhere else to go.

Volunteers at the Christmas Bureau sort toys

Volunteers at the Christmas Bureau sort toys

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Thursday, December 11th, 2008 Uncategorized No Comments

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