Uncertain situation worries family

As Christmas day approaches, uncertainty about their living situation is dampening this young family's holiday spirit.

Last year, the mom and dad were living in a rented house, with their two young children, an infant and a 3-year-old. When their landlord told them he was raising their rent by $200 a month, the couple decided the mother would return to work. It was the only way they would be able to afford to remain in their home.

"But the baby, she got sick. She had croup, and she just got sick after sick after sick," the mom said. "I couldn't find a job in time."

The family had to leave their rental home and with nowhere to go, moved into a home that had just gone into foreclosure. It belonged to a friend and no one was living there. They had hoped it would buy them some time so they could save enough money to move into a rental home of their own.

The mom got a job, and they started paying for child care.

"We both work but it barely seems to cover what we need and if we had to leave tomorrow we would have no funds for first, last, and deposit that all these places require," the mom said. "Every time we think we have some saved, something happens and it's gone again."They've left their belongings in boxes in the garage, because they don't know when they'll have to leave.

"This will be the first year our kids will wake up and Santa didn't bring any presents for them. It breaks my heart," the mom said.

She said her 4-year-old son understands times are tough for the family.

"We go to stores and stuff and he asks if we can afford things," the mom said, and started crying. "How do I tell him, 'We can't because we need the money to put gas in the car, so we can take you to school every day?'"

She said she knows there are people out there whose misfortunes are greater than her own family's.

"I know what it was like to grow up without. I know my kids are going to learn how to do it, how to get by, and be OK," she said. "I just feel like they don't have a stable living environment; I want them to at least enjoy 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.

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: Bill & Lynn Dennis (In memory of our sons Mark & David Dennis); Michael & Carol Clifford; Keith & Susan Hill; Dan & Marilyn Roden; Randy & Kim Haddock; Wesley & Theresa Woods; Ann Marie Rod; Dick & Janette Compton; Larry & Sharon Strobel; Coeur d'Alene Volkssport Club, Inc.; Betty & William Bailey; Edward & Susan Leach; Dean & Laura Eisenbarth (In memory of our daughter Diane E. Schmidt); Anonymous; WW Connally; Sandra Kay's, Inc.; Anonymous; Adrian & Gertrude Bogers; Darrel & Beverly Wilson.

Notes from our donors

Thank you so much for helping so many. I just got a little extra on Thursday so am able to send more this year.

- Faith Franck