Christmas campaign beats goal

by MIKE PATRICK
Staff Writer | December 18, 2020 1:09 AM

Despite the pandemic — or maybe because of it — Press Christmas for All has already surpassed its $200,000 goal. And Santa's reindeer haven't even started stretching yet.

Now we're going for the all-time record.

Buoyed by a $25,000 donation Wednesday from Aspen Homes, the largest single donation in the community fundraising program's history, this holiday season's campaign clocked in at $203,685 on Thursday. Last year, Press Christmas for All brought in $181,000.

"This is incredible," said Clint Schroeder, regional publisher of The Press and one of the program's many volunteers. "I'm so proud of our community, stepping up like this at such a difficult time."

Having accomplished one goal, a new one is in sight: Beating the all-time record.

According to Eric Haakenson, a CFA volunteer and controller for The Hagadone Corp. newspaper division, the best year ever was 2011, when donors amassed $238,105.

The second highest year was 2010, with $230,295, followed by 2012 ($212,725). But that year, you might recall, was when the bottom of the housing market fell out, and Press Christmas for All has struggled to get back into the rarified air of $200,000.

Might 2020 set the high water mark? Is $240,000 attainable? Can we, as a community, send a clear message to the many needy among us trying to improve their lot in life that we're there for them when they need us most?

Here are four ways you can answer that question with an emphatic "yes."

• 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.

RECENT DONORS

Tony Luzzo; Bill and Marianne Capaul - American Geotechnics; Betty Bray-Baker, in memory of Karman Baker; Charles and Janice Somers; Kathryn Boss; Michael and Nancy Presti; Steve and Diane Turner, in memory of our parents Harry Pewy and Art and Betty Turner; Gary and Janet Sylte; Daniel Phillips; Charles Brooks; Thomas and Susan Thilo; Marilyn Jackson, in memory of Glenn R. Jackson Jr.; Thomas Saathoff; Beverly and Gordon Hammond; Kay Kindig; Larry and Laura Mindt; Trisha Glienna; June Paxton; Kenny and Linda Johnson

OVER $500

Dave and Julie Beguelin; Aspen Homes; D.A. Davidson and Staff; Keith and Susan Hill; Jim and Sue Stillinger