Addiction takes a heavy toll
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 mom is rebuilding her life after ending an abusive marriage.
After she married the man who she believed would be her lifelong partner, he changed dramatically. Her husband abused drugs and alcohol. He became violent.
“I work a lot, so I don’t have a lot of time to dwell on it,” the mom told Press Christmas for All. “I’ve just got to keep my household going.”
Now a single mom, she’s raising her child from a previous relationship, as well as her ex-husband’s daughter. The girl doesn’t want to live with her abusive father, who has been in and out of jail, and she has no contact with her biological mother.
“Fighting for guardianship of my stepdaughter is rough,” the mom said. “But I’m going to do it, because she’s safe with me.”
Though she works more than 40 hours a week, the mom is struggling to pay the bills. Despite the hardships, she sees a brighter future for her family on the horizon.
“No matter how rough life gets, if you work hard enough, you can pull through,” she said. “It helps to know that there are caring people out in the world.”
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:
Carnation Rebekah Lodge; John and Diane Raley; Judith Lyle; Good Dog donation from Staff and Customers of Good Dog; Bob and Nancy Thiessen; In loving memory of our son Bob Lane; Paul and Sherry Munroe.