Dad wants holiday for son
His wife died three years ago, leaving him alone to raise their 4-year-old son.
Every holiday season is now emotionally painful, he told Press Christmas for All. He lost his wife to ovarian cancer two weeks after Christmas.
Last year, the contractor this dad had been with for five years went out of business. He said he spent two months looking for work and finally found a job in retail, working full-time, but at a significantly lower hourly pay rate, not much above minimum wage.
"I couldn't afford the rent on that, so we had to move in with my aunt. She's my grandmother's sister and she doesn't have a lot of room for us, but I'm glad we have a roof over our heads," he said.
He has been looking for better paying work and trying to save money so he and his boy can move into their own place. It's hard to do that, he said, after he pays for food, child care and medications his son needs for severe allergies. Things have been more difficult since early last month, he said, when his employer cut he and several other workers from full-time to part-time.
"I'm only getting about 30-35 hours a week now," he said.
He said he didn't want to ask Press Christmas for All for help, and he doesn't want anything for himself. He did it for his son.
"He is such a good boy. It was breaking my heart thinking I might not be able to get him something from Santa," the dad said. "This program is a true blessing and an answer to my prayers."
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: James & Grace Rebal;Terry & Sharon Edelblute; Jean & Ronald Voights; Richard & Kimberly Listoe; Joe & Eldelmira Michels; Darrell Sims; Rosemarie Hitesman; Jan Michels; Dorothy Morey; Silda Pollard; Cynthia Samms; Kay & Joann Nelson; Dixon Family; North Idaho Classics Car Club, Inc.; Brian & Margaret Hildahl; Kathryn & Tim Hunt.
Notes from our donors
Once again we are happy to be able to donate to such a worthwhile need.
Many thanks and hopes that all those who donate their time and effort would be repaid in kind for giving the ability to help so many of our friends and neighbors in time of need.
- Dusty and Audrey Rhoads