CFA star is almost within reach

Three days left to the Press Christmas for All finish line.

Will the community make it to $170,000?

A deluge of donations from the weekend, spilling into Monday, put the quest within reach. By the end of the day Monday, $125,870 had been raised. While that still leaves the month-long fundraiser at only 74 percent of goal, there’s reason for optimism.

The 2015 Anonymous in Athol Challenge has clearly been accepted. Anonymous in Athol, one of the two largest contributors over the 30-year history of the program — Tom Addis being the other — late last week pledged $5,000 for every $20,000 the community raises down the home stretch. At the time, Press Christmas for All had raised $84,000. With the tally today at $125,860, Anonymous in Athol is happily on the hook for $10,000. But let’s not let him and his wife off so easily.

To reach goal for the first time in four years, Press Christmas for All needs to raise another $44,130 — less the $10,000 Anonymous in Athol now owes. If this is all too much math for a Tuesday morning shortly before Christmas, here’s what you need to know:

Time is almost up to help more than 2,000 Kootenai County families hoping to have a merry little Christmas this year. With Anonymous in Athol stepping up in his challenge, every donation these last three days has a strong chance to multiply. Please help.

Mail your donation today to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, or call (208) 664-8176 to make a secure, tax-deductible credit card donation.

This year, let’s put a star atop that front-page Christmas tree.