By Nina Culver The Spokesman-Review
The news that the Christmas Bureau would be handing out vouchers this year instead of toys and books hit hard, and some in the community have questioned whether organizers explored every avenue before putting the toys and books in storage to wait until next year.
Christmas Bureau Coordinator Sierra Heinen said many options were considered over the summer before organizers settled on mailing food vouchers and handing out toys in a drive-thru event at the Spokane County Fairgrounds. But days before volunteers were to begin unboxing and assembling toys, Gov. Jay Inslee imposed new restrictions on gatherings in the face of rising COVID-19 cases.