Father wants to give son a merry Christmas
<p>Trindera Engineering donates $7,500 to Press Christmas for All on Wednesday. Members of Trindera’s Commercial Group are pictured here, front row, from left: Jimmy Rogers, Mark Martin, Adam Macomber and Laura Kaschmitter. Back row, from left: Wally Beck, John Lamb, Rock Lamb and Aaron Whiting.</p>
<p>Aafke Murdock with the Coeur d’Alene Press accepts a $1,000 check from Reid Harlocker for Press Christmas for All. The donation, Harlocker said, is in honor of his sister, Anne Hagman, "for all she does for this community." Press Christmas for All accepts credit card donations as well.</p>
This father and his 10-year-old son live alone, their only income, the dad’s disability checks.
“I wish I could do more for him all the time. He’s a good, good boy,” the father said. “We’ve been through a lot together.”
When his son was a toddler, the boy’s mom developed a mental illness and is no longer in touch with the family.
“I had to step in and be dad and mom,” the father said.
His son’s grandparents and aunt helped care for the boy while the father worked long hours managing a restaurant in Spokane.
Things became more difficult three years ago when the father was seriously injured in a car crash while on the way home from work.
With his serious head and neck injury, doctors were uncertain about his long-term prognosis.
The dad said he fought to recover because he knew his son needed him. Now he walks with a limp and sometimes relies on a walker or cane, and he is unable to work.
His son’s aunt still helps as much as she can, but the grandparents are unable to assist any longer since the grandfather developed heart problems and needs constant care.
“My son always wants to help me. He does good in school and he doesn’t give me a hard time when I can’t get him something he wants,” the dad said. “I can’t afford much, especially for Christmas. I hate to ask, but I’m thankful for any help.”
Press Christmas for All is in its 31st year of helping families like this.
Each year, our readers give generously and the money collected is distributed in the form of gift cards to be used to buy a small gift or items for a holiday meal.
The program helps everyone in need: 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: Tim and Kathryn Hunt; Kathleen Moseley; Ann Jacobson; Val Harris; Jim Rebal; Jim and Teresa VanSky; Dale and Judy Bennett; David and Lana McGuire; Jim Garron; Patricia Backer; Jeffrey Cobb in Loving Memory of Jeanne and Elmer Stout; Douglas Weir; Aldena Hildebrand; John and Carolyn Hilgers; Richard and Barabara Breitenberg; Doug and Mary Somers; Jim and Melody Small; Janet and Sidney Lundwall; Robert Avon; William and Sharon Carlson; William and Donna Faris; Mari and Craig Walker; Phyllis Terla; J.F. and Susan Rommel; Michael and Linda Mallory; Susanna and John Aalbers, MD; Anonymous; Coeur d’Alene Fraternal Order of Eagles Association; Anonymous; Dennis and Jacqueline Wheeler.