'A humbling thing'
<p>Cancer and Community Charities gather to present Press Christmas for All with a donation of $1,000 on Friday in Coeur d'Alene. From left, Cindy Shannon, Bobbi Freeman, Dorothy Benoit, Judy Gardner, Lucille Smith, Marcia Saunders, Roberta Dube, Mike Patrick, managing editor for the Press, and Carol Peterson.</p>
She's not looking for presents or twinkling decorations from Press Christmas for All.
This wife and mother's Christmas wish is to be able to have a meaningful holiday celebration with her family members around her.
"I simply want to be able to afford to have my children over for Christmas dinner," she told the holiday charity program.
She and her husband's finances have become increasingly limited during the last few years. Her spouse has congestive heart failure and can no longer work. She is suffering from a disabling form of arthritis and complications from another chronic illness making full-time work a challenge for her right now.
Having their family together this year for a special holiday meal is particularly important to them.
The couple's oldest adult son, the only source of income for his own family, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
"We count our blessings every day and hate asking for charity," the wife wrote on her application for holiday help. "This has been a humbling thing for our family."
With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.
Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County families in need. Each day until Christmas, we will share the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.
Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.
Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 27th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, with assistance from North Idaho College employee volunteers, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from Shopko or Super 1 Foods, local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.
To give, please send a check to:
Press Christmas for All 201 Second St. Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
You can also call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and donate by credit card.
Donations can be made securely online at www.christmasforallcda.com
Recent donors: Robert & Anita Banta; Monty & Donna Montgomery; Jean Donalson; Richard & Lois Nimtz; Ned & Diane Tower; Stephan Bell; Eleanor Smith; Dennis & Kathryn Arneson; Diana French; Douglas & Eileen Cresswell; Nickie Odenthal; Dale & Sharon Anderson; Vivian Fisher; Anonymous; Shawn & Sarah Swanby; Maxine Boyd; James & Patricia Smith; Dorothy Brown.
Lunch fundraiser
- Get your holiday spirit going with some barbecue, and do a good deed.
Texas Roadhouse, 402 Neider Ave., is holding a carry-out lunch fundraiser Wednesday to support Press Christmas for All.
For $7, you'll get a pulled pork sandwich, corn, coleslaw and a fresh baked roll with honey cinnamon butter.
Texas Roadhouse will donate $5 from each lunch to Christmas for All.
Pick up lunch for your family or your office. Cash or check only.
Call by Tuesday if you have 10 or more orders: 664-1903