Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids gift distribution took place last Friday with 197 children, representing 84 families, receiving gifts at the Wren Pierson Community Center.
That figure is 19 more children and eight more families than last year, although project coordinator Sally Shamp said in an email that several families did not show up to receive gifts, possibly because of the snow that fell Friday. Overall there were 655 gifts donated, along with 350 books, as well as over $1,650 in monetary contributions.
Shamp said Feed Cheney along with several other local charities will make sure the clothing and gifts are distributed to needy area families by year’s end. Shamp thanked several organizations that helped out including the Spokane Valley Kiwanis Club for the books, RSVP (retired volunteers) for knitted and crocheted caps, gloves and blankets and a local Parents Educational Organization (PEO) for other gifts.
Sporting goods retailer Zumiez donated jackets, hoodies, blankets, socks and gloves, and cash donations were made by Cheney’s United Church of Christ Women’s Fellowship as well as Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
“Most of all, the generous spirit of the Cheney community is revealed in the many, many individual gifts left in collection boxes hosted by four churches and 14 businesses,” Shamp wrote. “And of course, it all succeeded because of the dedication of 44 volunteers.
This was the 12th year for Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids project.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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