Disabled woman needs help giving her grandchildren Christmas

Disability and a limited income are making this holiday season hard for one local woman.

She babysits her three grandchildren every day while their parents are at work. They will be spending Christmas at her home as well.

The woman told Press Christmas for All that previously, her mother had been living in the same home and helping her with bills. However, her mother died earlier this year, making it hard for her to make ends meet.

“This will be my first Christmas without her,” she said. “It has been hard living alone, and something I fear I will never get used to.”

She said her grandchildren are all that she has, with her mother gone.

“I want to be able to give them a beautiful Christmas,” she said.

This is the 30th year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need during the holiday season.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. The money collected is distributed in the form of gift cards to those who might not otherwise be able to put a holiday meal on the table or purchase a small gift for a child. The program helps everyone in need, including struggling young families, seniors and people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Many are alone, and despair is a common factor.

Through Christmas for All, these less fortunate neighbors feel the compassion of a caring community during what can be a very difficult time of year for them.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers at The Hagadone Corp., the Coeur d’Alene Press and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

Every penny raised is distributed to needy Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp. and the volunteers at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

Donations can be made by dropping off or mailing a check to: Press Christmas for All, 215 Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Online donations can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/ChristmasforAllDonations

Donations are also accepted by phone. Call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to use a credit card to contribute.

Recent donors: Mike and Linda Van Cheri; David and Elsie Casteel; Patrick and Ginger Flynn, in memory of our parents.