Buried by debt at Christmas
LOREN BENOIT/Press ShopKo donates $10,110 to Press Christmas For All. From left: Apparel Associate Judy Hanchey, General Merchandise Associate Lori Latuseck, Customer Service Associate Raylene Smith, Customer Service Manager Becky Bird, Coeur d’Alene Press Publisher Larry Riley, General Merchandise Associate Danette Tupper, General Merchandise Associate Dave Dawson, and Eric Haakenson with the Hagadone Corporation.
This father of three said his family has been unable to get ahead for a few years.
“Things get very hard around the holidays,” he told Christmas for All.
He always worked in construction and was able to stay on top of the family’s finances.
But things began to spiral out of control after he was in a car crash that was not his fault. He was unable to work and lost his job. He had no income for several months.
During that time, the bills piled up and the family’s car was repossessed.
“We could barely make ends meet,” he said.
By the time he was able to return to work, the debt had become overwhelming. They couldn’t afford to pay for anything other than rent and utilities and were unable to pay down their debt. Eventually, the past due bills caught up with them and his employer was served with wage garnishment papers by the sheriff.
“I scraped together every dime we had and sold a lot of items so that I could file for bankruptcy,” he said.
That stopped the wage garnishment, but the family continues to struggle.
He’s had to draw money from his December paycheck to buy groceries, and when he does get paid, there will only be enough to cover the rent, utilities and the last payment to the bankruptcy court.
“I’m not sure what else I can do to provide any sort of Christmas for my family,” he said.
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. Secure donations can be made by phone by calling 208-664-8176.
Recent donors:
Charles and Laura Streeter; Thomas Kunz; Chad McCormick; Jay Moore; Bruce and Sue Wolford; Johnny and Christine Powell; Dennis Huss; Ben and Marja Slabaugh; Gail Thompson; Jim Walden; Colleen Moore; VM D; Diane and Greg Snyder; Monica MacNaughton; Keith Randles; Ginny and Scott Petersen; Ken Renner; Mark and Heather Bowlby; Murphy Bunker Family; Stefan Schwaab; Jim and Joy Hail; Brian and Margaret Reparuk.