PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL

Spoiler alert.

Next Tuesday, columnist Sholeh Patrick will spotlight a recent study claiming Idaho has the second most generous citizenry in the nation. (Utah, you're No. 1.)

If you're looking for some local proof, you've got it right here on the page.

Press Christmas for All, which raised $181,000 last year, is off to a smashing start. With two weeks to go until Christmas, the program is well on its way to reaching its $200,000 goal — a target that in this COVID-19 crazed year might have seemed out of reach two weeks ago.

As of Thursday morning, CFA had raised just shy of $120,000. By comparison, on this date last year Press Christmas for All had raised about $68,000. You, generous donors, have put the program on track to be able to hoist a shiny star atop the tree, which didn't happen last year when goal wasn't met.

While there's still plenty of work to do — and Anonymous in Athol, the program's biggest all-time donor, still waiting in the wings to help — program volunteers would like to particularly thank the wonder women with 3Cs. Even though COVID seriously curtailed the organization's fundraising abilities this year, the ladies stepped up with a check for $5,000 — an astonishingly handsome amount considering the obstacles.

Many, many others have also heaped plenty on the program, some anonymously, some honoring loved ones, some representing businesses with a philanthropic heart. But to meet the demands of Kootenai County residents who could really use a hand up this holiday season, rather than a handout, we still have miles to go before we sleep.

Eighty grand will get us there. Please, pitch in and on Christmas Day, let's see that shiny star atop the tree symbolizing success.

• 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.

Donors:

David and Elsie Casteel; Leesa Lane; Sarah and Mikel Negugogor; Lonne and Laura Jordahl; Stuart and Beverly Denny; Doug and Vickie Young; Herb and Jan Severtson; AC Zuehlke; In memory of grandson, Kacen Mitchell; Dean and Laura Eisenbarth; Gary Freeland; Victor and Connie Walters; Twila Fae Little; Thomas Wiechert; In memory of dear friend, John McGruder; Terry and Lois Grutta; James and Alison Kenway; James and Christine Brittain; Carol and Russell Cameron; Steve and Janice Burris; The McCormack's; Linda Beecher; Betty J Marshall; Bradley and Catrin Stoddard; Linda and Brad Pendleton; Bruce and Marsha Becker; Bob and Darlene Stravens; Paul and Shirley Binfield; Paul and Audrey Hakala; In memory of Dale Lawrence; Sandy and Jeanne Emerson; Robert and Eileen Ickes; Dave Link

OVER $500

Sue and Spike Dunton; Kathryn Page; Stephen and Delores Smith; Dr. Larry Gibbon and Kris Gibbon