Teen wants special Christmas for her brother

At 18, this young woman is barely a child herself, but her only wish from Christmas for All is for her younger brother.

“He’s 12, and it’s been really hard for us. He’s a kid. Christmas is supposed to be special for him,” she said.

The siblings arrived in the Coeur d’Alene area two years ago. She said their mother, who is fighting a losing battle against alcoholism and drug addiction, brought them to North Idaho from Nevada.

“Her boyfriend moved here, and she came because she lived here for a while, I think, when she was in high school,” the teen said.

Last spring, their mother ended up in jail, and the young woman and her brother were taken in by a distant relative they barely know. They’re still living with the relative, and the young woman said it hasn’t been easy.

“My mother’s cousin, she’s got her own kids and watches other people’s kids. My brother and I are kind of on our own there,” said the teen, who is finishing her last year of high school. “I want to get a job and save up for our own place.”

With their mother’s troubles, and their father out of the picture, Christmases have always been somewhat bleak, she said. But their mom always managed to make the season a little special for them by seeking help from holiday charity programs like Press Christmas for All.

“She can’t do that, so I’m trying to do it for my brother,” the young woman said. “Thank you so much for anything you can do.”

Press Christmas for All is in its 31st year of helping families like this.

Each year, Press 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 common.

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: The Lundbland Family; Sandy Langston, in memory of Melissa Goedde; Jerry and Donna Vanderzanden; Lakers Inn; Richard and Nona Kay Barclay; Gilbert and Rita Ayn Rossner; F.E. and Monika Vancini; Duocette/Crump/Kenner Family; Linda Miller; Ronald and Bouwina Nelson, in memory of Jake Weststrate; Craig and Jill Dee Foss; Dave and Janie Sande; Bob and Sally Wallace; William and Joan Boyd; Ted and Barbara Crumley; E. and J. Eichwald; Marjorie Colwell; Ralph and Janet Robinson; Robert and Judith Zeiss; Keith and Valerie Peila; Nancy George; Richard and Susan Andrews; Jackie and Robert Jewett; Alice and Al Schlepp, in memory of Kathy Schlepp Tuttle and Al Schlepp; Carl and Sandra Stouffer; W. and R. Crawford; Yvonne Deitz; Duane and Sharon Fitch; Rebecca Meyers-Merrill; James Emerson; Frank and Therese Gold; Michael and Debbie Hendricks; Elizabeth Jenks; Coeur d’Alene Jingle Bell Runners; Terry and Cryss Thain; Mr. and Mrs. David Young; Dinah Cook, in memory of Dusty Kendrick; Deedie Beard; Catherine Meyers; Doug and Debbie Magnuson; Jim and Teresa Van Sky; Carol Wos; Gil Stinson; Heather and Mark Bowlby; Anonymous; Coleman Engineering; Avista Corp.; Kevin Chang, M.D.; Anonymous; Ray and Marcine Doyal; John Albers, M.D.; Anonymous; Larry and Laureen Belmont; Michael White and Deborah Fuller-White; A. & S. Deerwester; A. Raquel Filipov; Kevin and Nancy Boling; Eric and Michelle Haakenson; Dinah Cook in Memory of Dussy Kendrick; Mary Baker; Mike and Cindy Clabby; Gerri Hartford; David and Barbara Childs; Rod and Debbie Colwell; Linda Hudec; Tom and Kathy Schaper; Phil and Kathy Freestone; Letus Family; Delphine Kenney; Alan Benson; Paul and Audrey Hakala; Tony Perka; Mr. and Mrs. Harriman, I challenge all Lions members to donate; William Wood and Kris Olson-Wood; Shirley Touros; John and Diane Raley; Constance and Del Lutsenhizer; Jack and Myma Champine, angels on Earth; Michael and M. Kathleen Brown; Shirley Vance; Collin and Holly Coles; Palmer Morrow; Bob and Dorothy Yohe; Ealy Family in Memory of Don Ealy; Diane Legerski; Margaret and James Manley; Dale and Sandra Lawrence; Bruce and Marsha Becker; M.A. Sandstrom; In honor of our Moms Mary Lu and Mary, who loved Christmas; Knights of Columbus; Robert and Louise Bluhm; Linda Fabian; Jim Ummel; Hiram and Tamara Madland in memory of Ruth, Mable and Ralph Madland; Faye Shankle; David Seidner; Laurie Jo and Scott Steven Nichols; Ralph and Janice Baker; Robert and Mary Lee Woods; Esther Alme; Thomas and Lorrie Kelly; Jane Ann Bodman; Diane Zell and Walter Cole; John and Kathy Barlow; Barbara Fontaine; For Anne Hagman for all she does for this community, from her loving Brother; Trindera Engineering; Dr. Larry and Kris Gibbon; Jim and Marti Stow; Jim & Nancy Barney; Anonymous; John & Sharon Keating; Helen Wikum; Jim Walden and Nancy Brown; The Friedrich/Pratt Families; Debra-Kay Stroud, in loving memory of Irene Gleason; Chambless; Paul Anderson & Sandy Hall; Sandy and Pete Johnson; the Shea’s; Brian & Liz Barnes; Bill Porath; Mike & Rachel Irish; Louise Rossi, in memory of: Vince Rossi; Richard Patterson, Stu and Bev Denny; Tony & Stacy Norris; Morgan Ford; Anonymous.