Family buried under burden of health problems
LOREN BENOIT/PressSuper 1 Foods donates $10,110 to Press Christmas For All. From left: Eric Haakenson with the Hagadone Corporation, Coeur d'Alene Press Publisher Larry Riley, Super 1 Foods President Ron McIntire and Hayden Store Manager Brian Howell.
The family is struggling with the financial and emotional fallout from health issues.
The dad was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and for 18 months, he had to take time off from work to have surgeries and treatment.
His wife, who has a terminal disease, is unable to work.
Because of this father’s time away from work, his family is losing their home. They are barely able to scrape by, he told Christmas for All.
“It put us financially under water so much,” he said.
Without help, he won’t be able to give his three children “even one gift or a stocking from Santa.”
The last two years have been the worst of his life, he said.
“My kids have been through so much that it breaks my heart,” the dad said. “My wife isn’t supposed to live past 50. I don’t know how much more a person could handle.”
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:
Stuart and Beverly Denny; Schedler Mack Insurance; Charles and Debra Brooks; David and Jan Moseley; CDA Women in Real Estate; Joyce Barton “In loving memory of Rick Barton”; Village On Evergreen; Denny and Cathy Keim; Liz and Brian Barnes; Kelly and Joanna Redfearn; Rod and Debbie Colwell; Knudtsen Chevrolet; Eric and Michelle Haakenson; Don and Sharmon Schmitt; Linda and Ron Beecher; Patrick and Linda Dufour; Richard and Shirlee Wandrocke.