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Mother, caregiver must choose between heat or holiday meal

| December 14, 2018 12:00 AM

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Raised so far: $88,817 To date last year: $59,582 Left to reach goal: $86,183

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of some of the people applying for help. Here’s one of them.

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This single mom works full-time to support both her daughter and her disabled mother.

“Sometimes I can’t buy all the food that my family needs for the month,” she told Press Christmas for All.

She earns too much money to receive assistance, but too little to afford more than the bare necessities.

The holidays are especially tough. Buying a small gift for her 7-year-old daughter or a special meal for the family to share would leave her unable to pay the heating bill. A normal Christmas seems out of reach.

Even a little help would go a long way in making a little Christmas cheer possible for this family.

This is the 33rd year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need during the holiday season.

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.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, disabled and mentally ill. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living near or below the poverty level. They are barely making ends meet and they do not qualify for other holiday charity programs.

Some are responsible for children, others are alone throughout the holiday season. Despair is a common factor. But through Christmas for All, they 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.

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 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

To donate online, visit cdapress.com. Click on the menu on the left side of the page to find Christmas for All 2018.

To make a donation by phone using your credit card, call 208-664-8176.

RECENT DONORS:

Lucille and John Smith; Paul and Audrey Hakala; Patty Fields in Loving Memory of Betty and Harry Fields; Patty Fields in Loving Memory of Dick and Bev Kaufman; Carlene Dvoracek in Honor of Eric Dvoracek; Corky and Judy Meyer; Nancy Mertz; Rebecca Sputhe; Larry and Sharon Strobel; The Crow Family; Jim and Linda Scharnhorst; Carol Maloney; Shrilee and Dick Wandrocke; Mark and Camille Rimmer; Monkia and John Krapfl; Berlene Harless; Kathleen and Charles Moseley; Clyde Ylitalo; Stuart and Beverly Denny; Vivian Russell; Kathryn Boss; E. and J. Eichwald; Vicki and Emon Olson, Jr.; Paul and Patricia Barrett; James and Christine Brittain; Polly Jones; Lubertus and Mary Vanderbilt; Keith and Valerie Peila; Thomas and Kristi Sharbono; Vicki and Chris Miller; Christie and Daniel Lyon in Honor of the Facility and Staff of Holy Family Catholic School; Chris Guggemos, Handshake Productions; Paul and C. Virginia Westhafer in Memory of our Parents, Andrew and Rose Westhafer and Keith and Peggy Cluckey; Connie Northrup; Phillip and Mary Hayes; Shelley and Jim Garvey; Kathleen Austin; Betty Marshall; Barbara Gallup; Fred and Linda Quigley; M. and P.L. Stanton; Jeffrey Cobb in Memory of Jeanne and Elmer Stout; James and Susan Whitecavage; C. Barry Zimmerman; James and Barbara Browne;

OVER $500 CLUB:

Knudtsen Chevrolet; Kevin Chang, M.D.; Koerner’s Furniture