Battered and bruised but still grateful

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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After a crash that almost took her life, each day is a gift for this mom. But it’s also a struggle.

While she was driving around a blind corner, a deer darted in front of her car. She slammed the brakes, hit loose gravel and spun off a cliff.

The car ran into a tree on the way down the mountainside, which stopped it from plunging into the lake.

An off-duty paramedic and an off-duty EMT happened to be nearby. They called for help.

“I think my angels were with me that day,” the mom told Press Christmas for All.

First responders had to use the jaws of life to remove her from the car. After that, she was in the hospital for weeks. The crash broke all her ribs and several vertebrae. She also suffered a collapsed lung, a lacerated liver and a severe concussion.

“I was black and blue from head to toe,” she said.

The accident left the mom with physical problems.

“It’s hard for me to walk,” she said. “I’m not able to hold a job right now. It’s been really difficult.”

Her husband works long hours to support the family, but it’s tough to make ends meet. After paying the bills, there’s nothing left for Christmas.

Still, this mom is grateful for what she has: her husband and her teen son.

“We watch out for each other,” she said. “We’re very grateful to have each other.”

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:

Mike and Mary Friedrich; Jeffrey and Cathy Hanson; Paul, Joyce and Brian Kratz-Klatt in Memory of Devon; Linda Sorensen.

OVER $500 CLUB:

Barry Williams