Dad's illness takes toll on family

This mom, dad and their three young kids will be spending this Christmas in a motel room.

“It’s nothing fancy. It’s very small, but we’re together,” the mother told Christmas for All.

The family was living with the mom’s aunt, but the older woman passed away and they had to move. At the same time, the father became ill and unable to work.

“He’s had surgery and he’s getting better, but he’s still sick,” the mother said. “It’s going to be a while, but we will get back on our feet. We could have rented an apartment, if he was getting his pay.”

She said that once her husband is well enough to help keep an eye on their children — ages 2, 4, 7 — she hopes to go to work herself.

In the meantime, they’re relying on money, loaned by relatives who live in another part of Idaho, to pay for food and the weekly bill for the motel room.

The holiday promises to be a bleak one for them without help from Christmas for All.

This is the 32nd year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of people like this during the holiday season.

The program helps everyone in need, including 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.

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.

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 are tax-deductible and 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 goo.gl/WospPG.

Recent donors:

Brad and Mary Corkill; The Barstow Foundation; Sandy Langston; Keith and Susan Hill; Richard Flugel; Rodney and Kim Strom.