Family trying to stay warm through the winter

Staying warm throughout the winter is their greatest need, and the biggest drain on this family's meager finances.

The woman and her husband live on her Social Security checks, in one of the county's more rural, isolated areas. Their adult son, who has autism and is intellectually disabled, lives with them also. He receives SSI, and cannot live on his own.

"Our only heat source is wood. Any of our extra money has to buy wood," the wife said.

They receive a "wood check" from a state energy assistance program for very low-income families, but have to pay for wood themselves until they receive it.

Because they live about 20 miles from Coeur d'Alene, and have to travel to town for doctor's appointments, keeping their vehicle running is another necessity. They recently had to use what little money they had saved to pay for car parts.

"I was in town to receive a turkey dinner from the food bank when the worker told me about your charity," said the wife and mother.

But she's not asking for anything for herself. She said she is asking for her son, who is incapable of asking for help for himself.

"He does not have a social life or drive or leave out on his own, so we try to do as much as we can to make his life as good and active as we can," she said.

When they can afford gas for their car,, they take him fishing, one of his favorite activities.

She's hoping that through Christmas for All, her son will experience a little "Christmas magic."

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 29th 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, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from 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 include: Anonymous in Athol; Walt and Betty Roeser; Steve and Peggy Cedros; Maidy Kress; Jan Pollard/Aflac; David and Jacqueline Dean; Kris Yeoumans; Sam and Pam Whitaker, in loving memory of Vivian Scott; Terry and Sharon Edelblute; Daniel Phillips; Frank and Glenna Ames; Larry and Sharon Strobel; Vanderzanden Family; Marvin Taylor and Laura Donald, in loving memory of Mardell Taylor: wife, mother, and grandmother; F E and Monika Vancini; Readers Who Care; Schedler Mack Insurance; Michael and Connie Maslowski; Rev. Lois Hanson; Eric and Susan Redman; Heidi Diven; M.A. Sandsrom; Anonymous; Patricia and Richard Malik, in memory of my daughter's Denise and Kelly; Ethelee and Caroll Haynes, in memory of Gary Ratcliff, who did not want to think of a child or family doing without this Christmas season; Anonymous.