Transtector continues its giving ways

HAYDEN - Ever feel like you've been kissed by an angel?

If you've ever found change on the ground, consider yourself smooched by a heavenly guardian.

That's the way they look at it at Smiths Protection Technology Group/Transtector Systems in Hayden, and the company's employees took it a step further this year.

They picked those pennies and other shiny round bits of currency off the ground, and deposited them into an Angel Kisses bucket, destined for Press Christmas for All.

That's just one way Transtector's employees raised $11,668 that they donated to the holiday charity program on Thursday.

"It's our employees' way of showing their gratitude for the fact that we have lots to share, and everybody deserves Christmas," said Colleen Krajack, the company's human resources director.

The creative philanthropists working at the business - a provider of services and products designed to protect communications systems - have a long history of supporting local charities.

Transtector's workers have donated more to Press Christmas for All in the last 10 years than any other organization. With this year's donation, they've given $113,800 since 2003.

The money is raised throughout the year through company raffles, bake sales and employee payroll deductions.

"These people give and give," Krajack said.

There are also a couple of individuals whose support for Press Christmas for All has been unwavering and remarkably generous through the years. Tom Addis, who has contributed to the program every single year, and the holiday charity's good friend, Anonymous in Athol, are Christmas for All's largest individual donors.

Now in its 27th year, Press Christmas for All 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: Trever Mangold; Anonymous; Michael & Sara Torre; Frank & Glenna Ames; David & Barbara Freeman; B. Dale Atwood; J. Allen & Barbara Plahn (In memory of Bob & Virginia Paulos); Rhoda & Clifford Schlehuber; Carlina Shelby; Kenneth Olsen; Judy & Dale Bennett; Bette Inseth; Eloise Swanson; Lura Brown; Ritarae, Vance & Michael Holley; Craig & Janet Heilman; Stacy Carson; Judie Derby (In loving memory of my brother, Allan R. Derby); Kevin & Melissa Bohanan; Gerald Spreen; Katherine Phillips; Bonnie J. Bennett; Beverly & Richard Polacek; Doryne Rogstad; Dennis & Mikki Stevens; Vicki Adamson (In memory of Ryan J. Reinhardt); Gerald & Helen Taylor; Nicolas & Marlene Sigler; M. Therese & Frank Gold; Scott & Teresa MacPhee; Joan Gabrielsen (In memory of my husband Stieg); Runge Furniture Company; Northwest Realty Group.

Notes from our donors

My wife and I choose to donate to your CFA cause. It helps people in our home town. Thanks to ALL THE WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS FOR DOING THIS EVERY YEAR! God bless you.

- Norb and Bev Twillmann

God bless you all at The Press for sponsoring Christmas for All. I wish I could do more. Merry Christmas and my prayer is that 2013 will be a better year than the past four years.

- Delores Griffin