March 19, 2024
The Liberty Lake Splash
PO Box 363
Liberty Lake, WA 99019
Phone: 509-242-7752
News Blog Business Community Opinion Sports

More News

March Marvel-Calvary a catalyst for historic Gonzaga run

Daughters of The American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a volunteer women’s organization that has been dedicated to historical preservation, education, and patriotism for over a century. Across the United States, there are over 3,000 chapters supporting an estimated current membership of 200,000, with over one million total members since their founding in 1890.

HOA’s have different rules what it means for Police and streets
The city of Liberty Lake is known for its winding paths, street trees and homeowner’s associations. Recently, however, residents of some neighborhoods have been questioning the services they receive from the city, particularly police patrols and traffic enforcement.

Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne Receives his Combat Infantry Badge
Spokane Valley resident and Vietnam Veteran Pat Payne personifies bravery, resilience, and a profound commitment to supporting his fellow service members. Having served in the Vietnam War, Pat received both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals for his exceptional contributions and sacrifices. Unfortunately, at the time of his service discharge, a key ‘box’ was left unchecked, and he did not receive his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB until fifty-six years after leaving Vietnam.

Return Ticket Home; Fisher helped establish LL city roots
In the acclaimed 1940 novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again,” author Thomas Wolfe paints the picture of ambitious writer George Webber who leaves his rural hometown roots to seek fame and fortune in New York City.

At Home on Air – Media fixture Owsley relishes local roots
Sean Owsley’s first big break in the media world came when he was living in a modest apartment on Skipworth Road in Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley Library employee is recognized by the Library of Congress
Spokane Valley Library was recently honored to receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Library of Congress for its involvement in the Veterans History Project. The Library of Congress recognized the library's continuous dedication to preserving the stories and experiences of our nation's veterans. As part of this recognition, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Jeremy Mullin, a local resident actively involved in the project.

Council social media training degenerates into confrontation
Spokane Valley City Council training on policy regarding social media accounts and use of the city’s logo turned from benignly informative to heatedly combative after an exchange between two council members at the Jan. 9 meeting.

Central Valley School District Prop. 1

Eat, Shop, and Be Merry

Water Works

2023 Candidate Guide

Sporting in Liberty Lake

Closing the Chasm

Congratulations First Ridgeline High School Graduating Class of 2023

2023 Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sales are Coming!
Click here to register today! Only $15 to get into the printed and online guide!

Public Safety Raised to New Level

Parks and Art Commission

Looking Ahead to 2023

Eat, Shop and Be Merry

New city administrator

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Interactive Map!

Liberty Lake Kiwanis Yard Sale Guide - Now Available!!

Conrats 2022 Senior Graduates

Pavillion Park

You Are Invited

Destination Liberty Lake

Liberty Lake's Lego Home

Making and Impact 2022

Search the News Archive Search the News Archive

Eat, Shop & Be Merry: 12 Gifts of Christmas
11/23/2015 3:20:49 PM

By Chad Kimberley
Eat, Shop & Be Merry Column

I love Christmas music. 

I love that some radio stations start playing Christmas carols Nov. 1, despite the argument that an elf kills a baby reindeer each time a carol is played before Thanksgiving. 

I love the kid-like jingles and imagining mom kissing Santa Claus (and truly hoping that it is dad and not the mall Santa) and grandma being run over by a reindeer. I love the classics and listening to Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole along with all the odd releases like Guns N' Roses and Alvin and the Chipmunks. 

Despite the literally thousands of different Christmas carols out there, the one I always come back to, for purely selfish reasons, is "12 Days of Christmas." You see, when I was a kid I always imagined that song being my personal Christmas gift list. I wanted 12 new Star Wars action figures (I never did get Admiral Ackbar), nine posters of Alyssa Milano for my walls (you know nine is the ladies dancing), seven new Nintendo games (I played Contra for hours), four boxes of baseball cards (still bitter my mom threw them all out) and one trampoline (asked for it every year - never got it). 

I see now that the whole aiming to get 78 gifts each Christmas may seem a bit selfish (OK, a lot selfish), but now as an adult with three kids who all have their own Christmas wish lists, I have come to realize the importance of teaching a bit of balance and selflessness. After all, this is a season that becomes a bit materialistic. 

So let's turn that same song around. Instead of giving our first loves (friends and family) tons of gifts, how about we show some love to those in our community who could really use the gift of our generosity this season. I think the new song may start a bit like this …

"On the first day of Christmas I gave my community …"

12 Dollar Bills 
One of the best things you could do this Christmas season is keep a plethora of dollar bills (at least 12) in your car so that each time you stop at the grocery store or the department store you can drop a dollar into the red kettles that the Salvation Army has out and about throughout this holiday season. The Salvation Army helps over 4 million people in the Unites States each year through those red kettles each Thanksgiving and Christmas season.

11 Cans of Food
There are many groups doing food drives throughout the holiday season, and you can pick from multiple organizations you want to help. One group I have volunteered with and given to is Second Harvest, who in turns partners with lots of groups in our community. Second Harvest distributes over 2 million pounds of free food each month throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

10 Pairs of Gloves
Gloves, blankets or even hand warmers would be a great donation to Blessings Under the Bridge, who will then distribute them to folks in need who are out on the streets or struggling to find consistently warm places to sleep and stay. We can all relate to be freezing cold, but most of us can remedy that situation quickly. Let's help those who can't this holiday season.

9 Hours of Time
Perhaps making a donation isn't possible this season, but many organizations all over the Valley would love to have you show up to donate time to help them meet needs. Whether it is one of the organizations mentioned in this column or another group that you are passionate about, please take an hour a day to make a difference.

8 Holiday Voices
Grab together a few friends and head out to a local retirement or nursing home and bring some holiday cheer by singing out a few Christmas carols or stopping in for a great conversation. Put a smile on someone's face, make a new friend and spread some Christmas joy. 

7 Clothing Items
Teen Closet is an organization that aims to help boost the confidence of teens in foster care by providing contemporary and fashionable clothes. Teen Closet looks for items that are brand new or gently used, suited for a current teenager and have no stains or holes in the clothing. 

6 Tree of Sharing Gifts
Spokane Valley Partners is a local organization that provides various services, including a clothing and food bank for local families. During the Christmas season, the organization has a Tree of Sharing that provides gifts for nearly 100 families in the Spokane Valley community. Make a commitment to provide six of those gifts this holiday season.

5 Toys For Tots
What would the Christmas season be without toys? Yes, it is important to help provide basic needs like warmth, food and shelter, but for a kid it does make for a special Christmas when you get a brand new toy. Toys for Tots aims to deliver a new toy at Christmas, and more importantly a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters and lets them know someone, somewhere cares. 

4 Bags of Dog or Cat Food
It is not just kids and adults who might need some help during the Christmas season, but it is also our four-legged friends. SCRAPS is the only animal protection agency for Spokane County and could use donations to help meet needs. One of the big needs is quality puppy or cat food - and preferably Purina One brand food. You may not be able to adopt a new pet this Christmas season, but you can help some furry critters stay healthy until someone else can bring them home.

3 Packages of Diapers
Inland NW Baby is an organization trying to help families who struggle to provide clothing and diapers for those in need. One of the largest needs is diapers, so this Christmas season make it a point to pick up some diapers each time you do some Christmas shopping and be able to help bless local families this winter. 

2 Tickets To "White Christmas"
By picking up two tickets to the show "White Christmas" at the Spokane Civic Theater on Dec. 16, you will be participating in a fundraiser for Hearth Homes in Spokane Valley. Hearth Homes is the only transitional home in the Valley for women recovering from domestic violence, chemical dependency and other traumas. Not only do you see a great show, you can participate in a silent auction and impact lives. 

1 Happy Camper
It is easy to get caught up in the chaos, busyness and potential grumpiness of the Christmas season. Make a commitment to yourself and others to be a happy camper this holiday season, and greet one and all with a smile and some joy.

Chad Kimberley is a local teacher and coach. He lives in Liberty Lake.

Advertisement

Copyright © 2024 The Liberty Lake Splash | Print Page