Two weeks to succeed

The national economy might be turning a positive corner, but you wouldn't know it by poring through the piles of Press Christmas for All applications.

Last year, the annual fundraiser provided gift cards for presents and food to 8,370 Kootenai County residents. This year? By the application deadline, more than 9,200 individual requests for help had been received, and more who had missed the deadline were pleading for assistance.

That's at least 830 more stockings that need stuffing this year. It's an increase in need of a full 10 percent.

So what are we to do? Why, what we always do around here when the need is clear: We join hands and we meet it. If we pull together and raise this year's goal of $190,000, then all of those seeking help shall receive it.

Christmas is just two weeks from today. Please, share what you can. Your gift will ensure that every single child in Kootenai County has something to open and something good to eat on that most glorious of days.

Need some inspiration? Think about a time you might have struggled. It happens to even the best and hardest-working people. And no matter how a parent might've gotten into a tough spot, keep in mind that children are innocent.

In Kootenai County, there's no room for frowns on Christmas Day.