Mom starting over after fleeing abuse

It recently took every ounce of strength this mom had to take her young daughters and escape from an abusive marriage.

"He had almost put me over the edge," she said.

The mom was able to get an apartment, and is struggling to make it a home for herself and her children.

Without help, they face a dismal holiday.

She works in retail, with no guaranteed hours, usually making just enough to cover rent and utilities.

"My paychecks have gone to rock bottom," she said.

This mother of two knows she is doing the right thing for herself and her girls, but she's frightened, and often cries herself to sleep at night.

"We're trying to make it," the mom said. "All I can tell my kids is that Christmas is going to be tight this year."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for folks like this - people left jobless, homeless or who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Last year our generous readers' donations allowed us to assist thousands of families in need, and this year we expect to be asked for help from far more.

Each day until Christmas, we will share with you 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 25th 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, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards to Shopko and to Super 1 Food Stores. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products.

To donate, 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.

Recent donors include:

Anonymous; Charles & Mary Adams "In loving memory of our son Chuck Jr"; Ronald & Paula Jo Adams; Anonymous; Ted Austin "In memory of my mother Betty May Austin"; Robert & Anita Banta; Stephen F Bell; B. Booth; Anonymous; Kathryn Cane; Randy & Karen Carlson; David Carneiro; Michael & Linda Van Cheri; Anonymous.