Husband's illness, death hits widow hard

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 disabled, elderly widow is facing her first Christmas without her husband.

When they met, she was a single mom of three. Her hus-band adopted her child-ren and raised them as his own. They were together for 25 years, until this summer, when he developed a brain tumor. By the time the cancer was diagnosed, it was incurable.

“The tumor had gone from the size of a ping pong ball to the size of a tennis ball in five days,” she told Press Christmas For All. “They said there was no hope.”

Within weeks of the diagnosis, her husband passed.

“When he took his last breath, I was holding his hands,” she said. “I had to let him go.”

Money that the couple had saved for travel went to medical bills and other expenses. But it wasn’t enough to pay for a burial, and she’s still struggling to catch up on bills.

“The holidays are even harder, because he’s not here,” she said. “Christmas for All really helps. It gives me hope that there are people who care.”

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 MENU on the top 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.

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RECENT DONORS: Evalyn Adams; Joe and Diane Dahlheim; Janet Thienes; Constance D. Williams; Annette Durkin; Lois Johnson in memory of Harry E. Johnson; Audrey Rhoads; Parker and Kay Woodall; Raymond and Patricia Pollard; Roxanne and James Helgeson; Dorothy Clark; Gwen Letson; Darlene Howerton; Valerie Houchin; Rosemary Sissons; Mike and Linda Van Cheri.

THE OVER $500 CLUB: 3Cs Cancer Community Charities; Robert and Marilyn Hunt; Panhandle Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene; Wes & Mary Schmidt: “We challenge everyone in Kootenai County who can, to do the same.”