Seeking a 'miracle'
<p>Super 1 Foods donated to the Press Christmas for All campaign this year. Photographed from left, Wayne Hudlemeyer, supervisorÊof Super 1 Foods in Hayden, Randy McIntire, vice president of Super 1 Foods, Eric Haakenson, with the Hagadone Corporation, Ron McIntire, president of Super 1 Foods, and Brian Howell, store director of the Super 1 Foods in Hayden.</p>
<p>The Gookin family donated $1,000 recently to the Christmas for All Program. Photographed from left: Simon, Dan, Jonah and Jeremiah Gookin.</p>
This mom is struggling to create a better life for children and herself.
"The last year has been extremely trying," she told Press Christmas for All.
She and her husband separated early in the year. The husband moved out of state, leaving her alone with their son, a toddler, and another child on the way.
She hasn't received any financial support from the children's father, and the mom, who has multiple sclerosis, is unemployed.
Last summer, unable to afford the rent, the now-single mother had to take her son and move from their apartment. They've been staying with a family member.
Although she's grateful for the assistance, the quarters are cramped, the mom said, and will become more so when her new child is born.
"I'm really hoping that by some miracle I will be able to get a new apartment for myself and my children very soon," the mom said.
In the meantime, she's striving to improve her family's quality of life.
"I recently decided to go back to school so that I can hopefully pursue a career and provide a better, more stable, life and future for my children. I am currently attending the University of Idaho at the Coeur d'Alene campus," she said.
She said she's sad that she's unable to do anything special for her little family this holiday season.
"It would bring me so much joy to be able to get my children something for Christmas," the mother told Christmas for All.
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: Warren & Ethel Ratcliff; Dennis & PJ Foster (in memory of Hazel Johnson); The Bar Wearing Bunco Babes of the Prairie; Marilyn Harwood; Anonymous; Deedie Beard; David & Anne Morrow (in memory of William & Dorothy Morrow; T. & Susan Robinson; Marcella & William Layton; Sandra & Rodney Green; Dave & Claudia (in memory of Dan Lackman); Anonymous; Jack & Cherie Shinn & Sandra Clovis; Mickey Goolie; Rodney & Debra Colwell; Anonymous; Leonard & Nyla Hodge; Dorothy Brown; A. & Betty Smeltzer; Stanley & Beverly Sieczkowski; Clear Path LLC; Daniel Phillips; Donald & Margaret Smock; Kathy & Thomas Hearn; Eric & Michelle Haakenson; Randy & Susan Bates (in memory of Kay Nickerson); Coleman Engineering, Inc; Evamae Kline; Jim & Twila Willcut; Bryan Elementary PTA (Student Board); Anonymous; Sam and Pam Whitaker (in memory of Vivian Scott).