Unwrapping Press Christmas for All

What is it?

Well, Press Christmas for All is neighbors helping neighbors - a specialty in these parts.

But more formally, Press Christmas for All is a holiday fundraising program now in its 26th season. It is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit registered with the Internal Revenue Service so all donations are tax deductible. The program is managed by volunteers from the Coeur d'Alene Press and its parent company, The Hagadone Corporation, with tremendous help from our partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. Super 1 Foods and Shopko help underwrite the program. Because all work is done by volunteers and all overhead is covered by The Hagadone Corp., every penny raised goes to needy Kootenai County families.

Press Christmas for All's roots go back to Dec. 12, 1980, when a local couple, Mae and Larry Hanley, were the subject of a five-paragraph story in this newspaper. The Hanleys asked readers to contact them if they had any gifts, toys, food or money to contribute to a program they decided to call Christmas for All. Their initial target was a neighbor lady who had nothing for her family at Christmas.

While the Hanleys gave Christmas for All its start - they raised something like $150 that first year, according to Press archives - local churches got involved and the program grew a little more. But it hit a low ceiling and former Press executive Bob Paulos and owner Duane Hagadone brainstormed to see how they might help it expand. That was 26 years ago and, several million dollars later, many thousands of needy Kootenai County residents have had their holiday prayers answered. And Larry Hanley is still an annual donor to the program.

Every day from Black Friday to Christmas, The Press publishes front-page stories based on real families' needs while safeguarding their privacy. The newspaper will also keep readers updated on how they're doing in attaining the fundraising goal.

In time-honored tradition, The Press will publish the names of every single donor - unless they specifically request anonymity. The Press will also publish photos of anyone who donates $500 or more.

If you can give to help reach the 2011 goal of $225,000, please send your check to:

Press Christmas for All

201 Second St.

Coeur d'Alene, ID. 83814

Only Kootenai County residents are eligible to receive help, but we'll gladly accept donations from anyone.

Notes from

our donors

I am a 94-year-old Great Grandma so I am sending in a donation for the Press Christmas for All again this year and am glad I can help out that way for some to have a nice Christmas. May God bless all.

JULIA WIRTH

Reach for

the stars!

• Last year's total raised: $200,000 (a record high)

• Number of individuals helped: 9,565 Kootenai County residents

• This year's goal: $225,000