Married couple struggling
She said she never thought she and her husband would be in this position at their age.
They've been married for 32 years, raised a family, put their son through college.
Her husband was let go last year, from a job he had held for 19 years. He began looking for work right away. It took months and months, she said, for him to find a job.
"When you're 62, it's pretty hard to find someone to hire you, no matter how hard a worker you are," the wife said.
He was eventually hired by a janitorial service, and is working three nights each week, cleaning office buildings and businesses. He also works one night a week, as a cashier at a gas station.
Before those jobs came through, she said her husband's unemployment benefits ran out, and they went through their savings.
For most of their marriage, she worked too, doing secretarial work. Several years ago she was diagnosed with degenerative rheumatoid arthritis, and using her hands has become increasingly impossible, and painful. She said she has been in the process of applying for disability.
In the meantime, the couple now faces the prospect of losing their home.
"It's so hard. I don't know what we're going to do," she said. "If you can help us, it will be the only bright spot for our Christmas."
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.
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Recent donors: Barbara McCathy, Laura Ulrich, Nancy Prussack, Cathyanne Nonini, Holly Thompson, Mark Sales, Michael Van Cheri, Mary Casey.
Deadline is Tuesday
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No late applications will be accepted this year, under any circumstances.
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Applications can also be filed online: christmasforallcda.com