CFA applicants share their words
The needy Kootenai County residents who ask Press Christmas for All for holiday help are asked, when they fill out their applications, to describe their situations and explain why they need assistance this Christmas season.
The thousands of applications received this year represent more than 9,000 individuals who tell us they face a very bleak Christmas Day without the help of this holiday charity program. Here are some of their words:
- "We're sleeping on mattresses on the floor of my friend's garage." - Mother of two toddlers
- "The fear of having to suffer through another 'hard candy' Christmas is almost more than I can bear right now." - Woman, disabled, lives alone
- "Living in a tent near Fernan. First time in 25 years I've ever been unemployed." - Father of 7-year-old boy
- "I just don't have the money to live this year." - Woman, 80, lives alone
- "We live in 14-foot travel trailer trying to survive." - Mother of two teens
- "I go hungry a lot to feed my kids." - Mother, disabled, three children
- "My four younger sisters live with me because our mother can't take care of them." - Woman, 25, single
- "We have been living in a bus, not converted for living, since Oct. 1." - Terminally ill father, 42, five children
- "My husband died three years ago, and I have advanced breast cancer and can't work. Please help my kids." - Mother, 44
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: Pam Levario; Beverly & Peter Finney (In memory of our daughter Christina Finney); Edith Keller; Allan Wise; Alison & Nick Granier; Bob & Bea Harwood; Shari Frei; Anonymous; Darlene Atwood (In memory of Mildred Boeber); Dean & Gladys Cody (In memory of Shirley Hosford); James & Signe Shank; Don & Corrine Larsen; Jean Jackson; Edward & Joanie Hedge; Marianne & Garry Benson; Thomas & Kristi Sharbono; Brian & Janice Odenthal; Linda Echelberger; The Shinneman Family (In memory of Randy Scott Shinneman & Deborah Suzanne Shinneman); Cleo & Shirley Pulis; Cal & Corrine Meierbachtol.