The best Christmas present: You

The effort to raise $170,000 through Press Christmas for All, to help more than 2,000 Kootenai County families and nearly 7,000 individuals this holiday season, was massive. Fueled by a strong desire to do good — and tired of falling short of goal the previous three years — the mission was accomplished at the last minute, thanks to by far the biggest donation of the campaign. Anonymous in Athol and his lovely wife, your $20,000 made Christmas merry for literally hundreds of people this year.

The thanks don’t stop there. In fact, that’s only the beginning. Soon we’ll publish a full-page ad thanking all the named donors who contributed to the 2015 Press Christmas for All campaign, and acknowledge the many others who deemed it best to give anonymously.

But until then, we express our most sincere gratitude to our devoted partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. Like everyone else on this side of the campaign, the countless hours invested by KCFR personnel, from tracking and entering into a database every single one of more than 2,000 applications to arranging and handing out gift cards to all the recipients, were all donated. When we think of an organization that excels in civic responsibility and compassion, KCFR leaps to mind. Thank you, friends.

The cities of Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene also helped, providing accessible places with plenty of parking for Christmas for All applicants to pick up and fill out their requests for assistance. While some applicants availed themselves of the online enrollment at cdapress.com, the vast majority still trust the hand-written process more.

Finally, the great folks at Shopko and Super 1 Foods have proven to be tremendous hosts to the thousands of people who come in to use their gift cards for food and presents. More than that, each contributed an additional 10 percent of the total amount of gift cards Press Christmas for All purchased, meaning this program literally gives 110 percent of its proceeds to needy Kootenai County families each holiday season.

This was the 30th annual Press Christmas for All campaign, and because of all of you who contributed in one way or another, it proved to be one of the most successful. Press Christmas for All has now raised and distributed more than $4 million in this beautiful little community. Thanks to you, each and every one, from the Press and Hagadone corporate offices.

Can’t wait until next year!