Family's life is upside down
Life turned upside down for this family four years ago when the father lost his job of 20 years. His wife told Press Christmas for All that he was unable to find work that would provide for their family, so he started his own small company.
"We have been working so hard, doing everything we can to cultivate the new business," the mom wrote on her application.
She said she clips coupons. They ration heat, gasoline and other energy use, and they don't have cable. They cook from scratch, harvest their own wood for heating, grow a garden each summer and buy used clothes. They're extremely careful with their spending, she said.
"We still are not able to make ends meet," she said. "We struggle every month to pay our bills and often have trouble meeting basic needs."
They haven't been able to afford to purchase snow boots for their two oldest kids, both teens, and her husband's eyeglasses are so scratched up he gets headaches every day, she said.
Those are just some of the necessities they are unable to afford for their family that includes three other school-age children.
The mom said she knows there are other people in the community whose struggles are greater than theirs. She said that's why she has never asked for help like this before. They can't afford to get any further behind on their bills, she said, and she doesn't see how they will be able to do anything for their kids for Christmas.
"If we could get even a small portion of help from your program, it would be an amazing blessing," the mom said.
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: David Andersen; Bonnie Petty; Carol Albertson; Anonymous; Monika Krapfl; Carol Kasper; Paul Ciruso; Jerry Adamson; Carolyn Burns; Nancy Miller; Larry Williams; Walter Bender; Judy L Hirschkorn; Alan Benson; Craig E Brumfield; Norma Baldridge; Gregory & Jane Nelson; Anonymous (In loving memory of David Featherstone); Avis & Sylvan Thompson; Steve & Connie Wesson.
Notes from
our donors
We are so touched by the stories in The Press about those folks less fortunate than we. Keep up the good work - God bless.
- Mrs. M.T. Anderson
Notes from
our donors
In loving memory of my husband George and son Randy. Thank you very much for all you do for those in need. I work at the St. Thomas kitchen and we serve up to 110 dinners on Tuesdays. We also have a Christmas party with gifts for all - will be on Dec. 25th this year.
God Bless you and your families.
- Bonnie McDowell