Short of goal, but not of good feelings

COEUR d'ALENE - When the lights finally went out on the 2013 Press Christmas for All fundraising campaign, there was no shining star atop the Christmas tree signifying the goal had been reached.

But there were lots and lots of stars.

Press Christmas for All raised $175,275, short of the $190,000 goal. However, because the need was less this year than last, every request from qualified Kootenai County residents was met.

According to Eric Haakenson, communication division controller with the Hagadone Corp. and a volunteer for Press Christmas for All, 780 fewer gift cards were purchased this year than in 2012. Gift cards ranged in value from $25 to $125, Haakenson said, depending on the needs and number of people in families.

Still, more than 9,200 Kootenai County residents were helped this holiday season, according to Samantha Babich, a Press Christmas for All volunteer who works for Kootenai County Fire & Rescue. And while the $175,275 raised was short of the goal, it exceeds the campaign average. Over the past 20 years, Press Christmas for All has raised an average of $164,515 annually.

"We're exceedingly proud of this program and consider ourselves fortunate to live and work in such a caring, generous community," said Brad Hagadone, president of Hagadone Communications. "We can hardly wait for the 2014 campaign to begin."