Seven kids, zero presents?
Raising seven children has its difficulties, especially when Mom has a mobility-limiting degenerative condition.
"I can't stand or sit for a very long time," the mom said. "It's interesting, to say the least, when you have a lot of little kids who want Mom to run around and play."
A back injury she sustained at work when she was younger has gotten worse and pushed her out of the workforce. Her disability checks barely supplement her husband's income, which was recently halted when he was laid off from his seasonal job.
Right now, Dad is out of state trying to find some source of income that can get his family through the winter. Mom said he won't be home until Christmas Eve, so she will be managing a house full of kids on her own.
The children, ages 3 months to 16 years, realize their mom needs help around the house and they pitch in where they can.
"I can no longer do the work I used to do," she said. "Even the little kids help with laundry."
As with many big families, the kids hand down clothing and share everything. This is especially important when money is tight and purchasing new clothing is not a reality.
"You do the best you can to make sure the bills are paid," Mom said. "You work a little on the side to try to supplement so we can get some of the things we need when the kids outgrow clothes. We're trying to get boots and snow pants and jackets for some of the kids because some of them don't have those yet."
With Dad out of work, feeding the seven children has become the priority. Bills must be paid as well. Any other money has to go to basics — gas in the car, toiletries, socks. Not a lot is left for Christmas.
That's where Press Christmas for All comes in.
"The most important thing is that the kids are happy," Mom said. "If they even have one thing under the tree, it's literally the joy of watching their faces light up on Christmas morning and having something they normally wouldn't have.”
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:
Marie Dubacher; M. Jean Sage; Ronald and Beverly Noble; Pat Dyke; Helen Corey; Donna and Charles Walker; Bradley J. Stoddard, P.A.; Lois Featherstone, in loving memory of David Featherstone; Mickie Goolie; Warren Keene; Barbara Ketchum; Coeurly Q's Square Dance Club; Chris and Vicki Miller; Arlene and Gary Anderson; Bill and Gail Everson; Paul and Beverly McCabe; Twila Fae; Lucille and John Smith; B. Randy and Sandra Rolphe; David and Bobbi Freeman; Diane Lawrence; Linda and Larry Echelberger; Runge Furniture Company.