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'This is our home'

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | December 17, 2020 1:09 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — Todd and Zetta Stam love their community, and they want everyone to share in the joy of the season.

“Especially at this time. There’s a little bit more of a dark cloud over things,” Zetta Stam said.

The Stams are owners of Aspen Homes, a custom-home builder based in Coeur d’Alene. Wednesday, they donated $25,000 to the Press Christmas for All program.

“We want to rejoice. We want to celebrate God is good all the time,” Zetta Stam said. “We want to be there for the community. We love them and we cherish living here.”

Regional Publisher Clint Schroeder said the level of compassion and generosity expressed by companies like Aspen Homes never ceases to amaze him.

“This gift will make a significant difference to the families and individuals that benefit from the Press Christmas for All program, especially this year,” he said. “All of us at the Coeur d’Alene Press wish to express our deepest gratitude to Aspen Homes for this major gift. Your kindness, and the kindness of all past and current CFA supporters, is a brilliant example of what makes our community so special."

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 that helps thousands of men, women and children.

Mike Patrick, Press managing editor and a 20-year volunteer with the program, said the gift from Aspen Homes is the biggest single gift Press Christmas for All has ever received.

“And what's beautiful is that it was completely unexpected," he said.

Aspen Homes has been in operation more than 20 years, offers home and interior design, and employs about 15.

Todd and Zetta Stam have lived in the Coeur d’Alene area for about 30 years.

Zetta said they were excited to donate the $25,000 and hope it is a blessing to others.

“This is our home,” she said. “That’s what families do. Families support each other.”

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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.

•••

Donors:

Dena Yates; Brian and Margaret Reparuk; Mike and April Delong, in memory of Harold Deming; Jim and Marti Stow; Reid Harlocker, in memory of the Smurf; Gerri Paradee; Chris Kellogg and Louise Burkhartsmeier; Claudia Phenneger; Phil Ward; Alex and Sharon Kinnaird; Walter Campbell; Katie Osborne; George Phillips; Connie Northrup; Donald and Judy Schaffer; Robert and Mary Woods; Daniel and Valerie Soumas; Charlotte Bouley; Robert and Kathryn Ferrell; Scott Peterson; Joseph and Carla Foti; Douglas and Eileen Cresswell; Jeannette Hill; Nickie Odenthal; Frances Soule; Dan Kealy; Michael and Linda Wells; Brian and Janice Odenthal; Willette Hanson and Pod Jon Ness; Michael Wilson; Ja-Nee K. Newby; James and Shirley Miller; Charles Zeits; The Brockhoff Family, in memory of Joyce; Marjorie Bald; Nicolas and Marlene Sigler; Jeffrey Cobb, in memory of Elmer and Jeanne Stout; Scott, Susie and Sarah Kindler; Jim and Joy Drechsel; David and Brenda Oliveria; Gary and Margaret High, in memory of Howard Harder and all the COVID-19 victims; Milton and Margaret Schauble, in memory of Michael and Catherine Schauble; Craig Brumfield, to those that lost their lives to COVID-19; Holly and Daisy Gleaves; Mike and Jill Kincaid; Mike and Sholeh Patrick; John and Michael Krapfl; Kay Moline; Robert Kalisch; Gary and Judy Denny; Janice Abel; Miriam Owens and grandsons Ashton and Greyson Owens; Grayson and Ezekial Harder; Tony Verdoia; Taylor and Brianna Mitchinson

Over $500:

Aspen Homes; Dolly Dubois and Kurt Neely; Paulette and William Minatre; Ray and Marcine Doyal; Tim and Wanda Quinn; Michael Smith; Joe and Kathy Ornelas; Stefan Schwaab; Harley and Sandra Moyer