Troubled family on the road to recovery

This Christmas will be the first that this mom and her children will spend together, safe, in their own home.

For the past two years, the family has been on the road to emotional and financial recovery, following a long cycle of abuse and homelessness.

"Life was just my three kids and I running from domestic violence in which I should be dead by now," the mom said.

Back in 2009, she lost her home after having to call the police multiple times because of her abuser. She fled, with her children, and was homeless for several years.

Felony convictions, no-contact orders and geographical changes failed to keep the family safe.

"We were just on the run constantly," the mom said.

She nearly lost her kids because of it. One of her children was in her arms when she was viciously assaulted and injured.

There were 11 stays at 10 shelters over a five-year period.

But the mom never gave up. She fought hard to keep her family together - to keep her kids safe.

She recalls a holiday season a few years ago, when she bought her oldest son a snow globe with a Christmas tree in it.

"I set it on the dashboard of my faithful car that carried us from state to state, from city to city," the mom said.

She said she smiles when she thinks about that car, because it's now sitting in an actual garage.

With a new husband the mom married a year ago, the family's healing and financial recovery are ongoing.

"The kids still go through night terrors," the mom said.

And the family still relies on help from a local church for their housing and other expenses. But they are moving toward self-sustainability, she said.

They hit a bump in the road a few weeks ago when her husband lost his job, but that's a small obstacle, she said, compared to where she and her children were a few years ago.

"Christmas for All would greatly help make Christmas less gloomy," the mom said.

She said she volunteers at Union Gospel Mission and sees the great difference charitable donations make in the lives of those who need help.

"I ... am grateful you all are willing to give and help provide for those in need," she said of Christmas for All donors.

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: Don Sausser; Marilyn Freeman; Al and Robin Near; D.L. and S. Nussear; Margaret Goolie; PI Master Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi.