Parents work hard, struggle with poverty
The Coeur d'Alene Kiwanis recently presented a check for $1,000 to the Press Christmas for All program. Front row: Ardyce Plumlee, Jill Jurvelin, Matt Palmer, Kim Cummings, Carolyn Jorgensen, Michelle Gonzales, Angela Erickson, Chad Krahn and Marty Behm. Second Row: Bethann Matousek, Tom Pool, James Curb, Lavonne Vinson, Jessica Letus, Megan Tollackson, Dick Jurvelin, Karl Schimdt and Kevin Casey. (Courtesy photos)
As part of the annual Press Christmas for All Campaign, we share with readers stories of people applying for help. Here’s one of them.
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These parents work opposite shifts in order to support their family and care for their special-needs child, spending time together only on weekends.
“Hannah” and “Ben” are married and have three children. Their youngest child, a 4-year-old, was recently diagnosed with autism.
While Hannah works during the day, Ben works the night shift. Each night at 10 he goes to work while she puts the kids to bed. When he comes home around 7 a.m., she’s heading off to work.
Ben gets the older children to school and cares for the youngest child during the day until Hannah comes home, at which point he goes to bed so he can be rested for his next shift.
The pair have had this arrangement for years, out of necessity. Even with Hannah and Ben both working full-time, they live in poverty. They can’t afford childcare and still pay their bills.
The family relies on the food bank to get by. Each week, Hannah shops at the Post Falls Food Bank’s 3rd Avenue Market; she sometimes brings her children with her.
Hannah said the 3rd Avenue Market is the only place she shops because her kids don’t know that their family is poor. The market doesn’t make her feel poor—it helps preserve her dignity.
Despite the challenges they face, Hannah and Ben remain committed to each other and to their children.
Assistance from Press Christmas for All will help ease their burdens during the holiday season.
This is the 34th year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need.
Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.
The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, disabled, homeless and mentally ill. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living near or below the poverty level.
The beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All are going to keep their dignity intact while the community provides a hand up to help get them back on their feet.
Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers.
With a shorter holiday giving season than usual, please make your donation sooner than later. Here are four ways to do it:
- Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, 83814
- Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176
- Go to cdapress.com. Click on the MENU button, then click on Christmas for All 2019.
- Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene.