Disabled vet recovering

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

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During her time in the Navy, “Alice” was an advocate for sexual assault victims.

“It’s something I’ve always been adamant about,” she said. “Making sure people who don’t have a voice for themselves have someone to stand up for them.”

This Christmas, Alice needs her community to stand up for her.

A single mom of two small girls, Alice is serious about her role as her daughters’ protector and advocate. That mindset made it clear what she needed to do when her relationship became abusive earlier this year.

Things were fine until the night her boyfriend put his hands on her 4-year-old daughter.

“He beat her,” Alice said.

She ended the relationship immediately.

“It wasn’t something I was willing to compromise on,” she said.

Alice and her daughters had nothing but one another. But that wasn’t so bad.

“It’s pretty much all we’ve had since they were born,” Alice said.

As a disabled veteran on a fixed income, it’s hard for Alice to make ends meet. Still, she manages, despite coming down with COVID-19 over the summer and then undergoing major surgery after an accident. She’s still recovering.

“I’ve had to learn how to drive left footed,” Alice said. “Getting around has its challenges.”

Making it to medical appointments and getting the girls to school is made tougher by a windshield that cracked three years ago. Alice hasn’t been able to scrape together enough money to replace it.

The family car is also in need of snow tires.

“That would ensure that we can get where we need to go without taking chances,” Alice said.

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This is the 35th 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.

Please help. Make your tax-deductible donation today any of four ways:

• 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 Christmas for All 2020 at the top of the page.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown CDA.

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Donors:

In memory of Ruth Thorpe; Sharon Allen; Jessica Mahuron; Paul and Beverly McCabe; Don and Kaye Gonzales; Alastair and Joyce Summers; In memory of Sylvia Spain; Robert and Kathy Verburg; Douglas L Weir; Willem and Evelyn Huender; In memory of Colleen Landon; John and Carolyn Hilgers; Vivian A Russell; Adrian and Gertrude Bogers; Joachim and Sandra Wirth; Patrick A Tebo and Beverly A Chapman; Patrick and Renee Miller; Betty Ball; Donald E Schierman; Leland and Lyndell Erwin; Dick and Rhonda Schultz; Stacy Carson; Dale, Sharon and David Andersen; Greg and Kathy Russell; Dale Curley; Robert and Enid Heintz; Russ and Laura Ulrich; James Ummel; Philip and Susan Harding; The Costigan Family; Joe and Diane Dahlheim; Dorothy Morey; John and Sharon Edgar; David E and Kathleen J Kuntz; Alpha Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators; In memory of victims of Covid-19, Thomas Hearn; Douglas and Dorothy Schedler; Harold and Jan Olstad; Antje Cripe; William Wood and Kris Olson-Wood; In memory of Betty Montgomery

OVER $500

Ron and Eileen Taylor; Arin Dailey; Larry Echelberger; Keith and Sandie Matheney; Douglas R. Welbourn; The Rollins Family; John and Mary Jo Snedden