Here's where your blessings end up

We received nearly 3,000 applications this year from Kootenai County residents seeking help from Christmas for All for more than 7,200 family members and individuals.

On their applications, they told us why they’re struggling this holiday season.

We’ve shared just a few of their stories with you each day throughout the campaign.

But there are many more stories that will go untold.

If you’ve donated to Christmas for All, bless you. You’ve done some great things this holiday season.

- You’ve helped a neighbor who’s feeling downtrodden and forgotten that he’s not alone during what’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year.

- You’ve put a smile on a child’s face on Christmas morning and relieved a parent’s anxiety because she’s unable to do that herself.

- You’ve likely started a chain of giving that will continue later, when the people you’ve helped are in a better place and able to be givers themselves.

Here are a few shorter stories from people you’ve helped, in their own words.

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“I’m sick, have Crohn’s disease. I’m on SSI. I can’t buy presents. Dinner is very little to none. My husband passed from cancer after 30 years. I’m a lost soul.” — Coeur d’Alene woman

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“I cannot say thank you enough for Christmas for All. I support a family of four on one income. My husband is unable to return to work and is fighting with disability. It has been a long road. We have two children and Christmas is always tight and our property taxes have gone up and are due...We are flat broke this year. It hurts, but it is what it is. I just want to make sure my kids have a nice Christmas.” — Post Falls woman

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“I live on my Social Security income. I am deaf, have seizures and have mental health issues.” — Coeur d’Alene woman

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“We had to move to a travel trailer cause we lost everything in a house fire. We are just trying to rebuild our life and the things we lost. I have no money to provide anything for my kids for Christmas. Thank you for doing this. It truly is a blessing.” — Rathdrum woman

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“I hate to ask for help but my husband is disabled and my elderly mother has moved in with us due to her leg amputation. I have a job but can only work part-time since I have to take care of my family also. Our home was foreclosed in 2016, and we live in our camper trailer. We did not have a Thanksgiving dinner so it would be great to have a Christmas one. If you can help, bless you, if not I understand.” — Post Falls woman, 57

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If you haven’t donated, it’s not too late to help.

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.

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.

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Recent donors:

Romer Brown; Holly Stetson “In memory of sister, Judy”; Paul, Joyce and Brian Kratz-Klatt “In memory of Devon Austin”; Rob and Jody Corbin “In loving memory of brother, Dan!”; Lee and Myla McFarland; David and Claudia Landon “In memory of Dan Lackman”; Kathryn Boss; Richard Smith; Steve and Julie Latina; Lynn Jackson “In memory of Glenn Jackson”; Philip and Othilia Farr; Wallace and Pamela Adams; Don and Fern Johnston; Betty Stone “In memory of Ray Stone”; Collin and Holly Coles; Michael and Linda Mallory; Dusty Rhoads “In memory of wife Audrey”; Ronald and Beverly Noble “In memory of son, Bob”; Therese and Frank Gold.