Man wants nice holiday for wife, daughter
A man and his wife are happy not to be homeless this winter.
They were given a trailer to live in earlier this year, and although it is warm now, it required
a lot of work to prepare it for the cold weather and get the electricity properly working.
"We're still not done with it, but at least it is a roof over our heads and a place to call home and keeps us warm," the man said. "We still need doors. The whole thing needs winterized, some windows need sealed, lots of inside work. We need flooring installed and some other stuff so all of our money has been going to that."
His wife recently had surgery that is taking a long time to heal from.
"She keeps having one setback after another," he said. "She has been trying to do some of the work on the house when she is not working a lot of hours at her job, but she usually can't really walk when she gets home."
The couple is trying to fix up this trailer as best they can so they can have his 7-year-old daughter stay over every other weekend. They don't get to see her much now because they didn't have the money to be properly represented when he and his ex went to court over custody. They're struggling through this financially, physically and emotionally, and the husband wants nothing more than to let his wife and daughter know how much he loves them this Christmas.
"Last year, my wife applied for Christmas for All because she felt so bad," he said. "Now she is working massive hours and I want to give her something to look forward to this Christmas. Please help me do that for her and my daughter."
This is the 31st 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, 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 cdapress.com/christmas_for_all.
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: William Kegley; Norm and Linda Lewis; Al and Gwen Summers; Richard and Marilyn Moore; Randy and Deidre Sindelar; Michael and Nancy LoPresti; William and Susan Sturgeon; Anonymous; Norbert and Beverly Twillmann; Jerry and Merle Jaques; Rick C. Hill, in memory of grandparents Ray and Ruth Jones; Tom and Carolyn Leege; Linda and Charles Sabatke; Dixie and Alfred Braun; Gerry Demaris; Anonymous; Mary Lou Dion, in memory of my beloved Joe; Anonymous; Keith and Sandie Matheney.