Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

From the

Official News Magazine of the Diocese of Spokane

(From the Feb. 5, 2004 edition of the Inland Register)

Santa visits with Shayla during the annual Christmas party at Summit View Apartments, which offers low-income subsidized housing for 28 families in Spokane. Summit View is sponsored by Catholic Charities and is one of the ministries which benefits from the annual Christmas Collection. (IR photo from Catholic Charities)

At press time, Catholic Charities has raised $587,027 toward its 2003 Christmas Collection goal of $675,000.

Gifts have been received from 4,452 people, with an average gift of $131.86.

For 90 years, Catholic Charities has served the hungry, homeless and hurting who need assistance through 25 programs in 37 locations including the House of Charity, St. Margaret Shelter and St. Anne Children and Family Center. Each year, the charity assists over 15,000 people throughout Eastern Washington.

“The Catholic Charities Christmas Collection funds one year of shelter, food and clothing for those in most in need in the diocese,” said Donna Hanson, Catholic Charities’ Diocesan Director. “Our services are available to all people based on need, not creed. Catholic Charities is continually stretching to do more with less.”

Catholic Charities spends 4 percent of the total Christmas Collection on postage, printing and advertising. The rest of the money goes directly to the programs that provide food, shelter and clothing.

Donations may be mailed directly to Catholic Charities Christmas Collection 2003, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210-1453 or delivered to Catholic Charities’ offices on the first floor of the Catholic Pastoral Center, W. 1023 Riverside Ave. in downtown Spokane.