Mom wants one day for kids to forget
This mom asked for help from Press Christmas for All so she could try to give her three kids one day to forget how tough things have been for them lately.
The father of this family left them earlier this year, cleaning out the couple's bank account. The mother, unable to work due to injuries from an automobile crash, was unable to hold onto the family's home.
"We now live in a trailer where the roof is caving in and the windows are thin as a razor blade, some broken," she said.
Her kids, all teenagers, are feeling the stress. They are hurting, she said, because they haven't heard from their father, and they don't know where he is.
"I wish I could buy a tree and lights, and get a roof so my kids don't have to see my books stacked high trying to hold our roof up," she said. "I wish I could buy them presents so for one day they can forget and be happy."
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:
J.R. & P.A. Albee; F.A. & G.M Ames; Anonymous; Anonymous; Anonymous; Anonymous; Anonymous; Robert Avon; James Baillie; Tammy, Larry, Angela, & Chris Baker; Don & Frances Bell; Dale & Judy Bennett; Bonnie Boehm "In loving memory of Theone Shortridge Pettit"; Patricia Bonney; Kelsey Borrowman; Pearl Brown; Ellen Carrithers; CDF Landscape Professionals, INC; Jeffrey Cobb; Ken & J. Crandall; Janice Dahlberg "In memory of Bill Dahlberg"; D.A. Daugharty, MD; Beth & Dan Davis; James Dubacher; James & Marie Dubacher; E & J Eichwald; James & Carol Enders; George & Aleta English; Peter & Beverly Finney "In memory of our angel, Christina Finney"; From the customers of Fleet Feet CDA; Mary Franzen; Cope & Dawn Gale; Caroline & John Griffin; Brad Hagadone & Teresa Crowley; Myron & Nina Hagen; Bill & Gerlinde Hamilton "In honor of the men & women in uniform in service to our country"; E.J. & M.L. Hannigan; Ken Harmon; Phillip & Mary Hayes; Von & Elke Helmuth; W.L. Hap Hilbish; Philip & Aldena Hildebrand; Bruce & Brenda Howard; Darlene Isbell; Kenny & Linda Johnson; Edith Keller; Sharon Kifer; Dave & Kathy Kuntz; Laundry Night Ladies, Heidi Acuff, Amy Mossman, Toni Hackwith, Ninette Goucher, Heidi Rogers, & Wanda Quinn; Dale & Sandra Lawrence; Liberty Tool & MFG., INC., Shawn & Noelle Lindhorst; Local Bookclub; Michael & Regina Maehler; John & Betsy McTear; Monty & Donna Montgomery; Lt Col. Harris L. Moorhead USAF (Ret) & Erika Moorhead; David Mullen; Jon & Pam Ness; Michel & Bettyann Pentony; Lance & Nicole Perry; On behalf of Bud & Evie Oakland; Gene & Lesley Pierson; Clara Primmer, Serena Primmer "In memory of my dear friend Brian Williams"; Barry & Kelsie Ryan; Dave & Janie Sande; Armando & Carolyn Reynolds; Dick & Rhonda Schultz; Victoria Schwartz; Eunice Seymour; Larry & Candi Shafer; Rick & Debbie Shipman; Shirley Smalley; Rileen & Terry Smith; Robert & Carole Smith; Gerald & Susan Spreen; John & Julie Ukich; The Ulrich's; Irene Van Sickle; Kent Wellner & Donna Emert; Robert Waddell "In memory of Russell & Dorothy Waddell"; Donna Walker; M. Werner; Robert White; Darlene Williams & Paul Brink "In memory of Shirley Galloway"; Joseph & Laura Wilson "In memory of our son Ryan Reinhardt"; Kenneth & Joann Wolkenhauer; Pierce & Karen Worcester; Parker & Kay Woodall; Berg Companies; Charles & Carol Cardarelli.