PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Hardworking family thankful to be together
As part of the annual Press Christmas for All Campaign, we share with readers the stories of those applying for help. This is one of them.
Despite their hardships, this family has plenty to be thankful for during the holidays.
“Marcia” works two jobs to make ends meet, waking at the crack of dawn each day to get to her first job. Her husband has been a stonemason since he was 16 years old, but his body can’t tolerate the hard work like it used to.
“He’ll probably die with a rock in his hand,” Marcia said. “He’s spectacular. He’s the backbone of the family.”
Last year, the day after Christmas, their adult daughter was in a head-on collision with a wrong-way driver who was going more than 100 mph. By some miracle, she survived.
“We just surrounded her and loved her and walked through it,” Marcia said. “We didn’t want to sit in fear.”
But the crash put more pressure on a family already just scraping by.
Marcia and her husband shared their vehicle with their daughter, whose own car was totaled in the wreck, so she could get to work.
That vehicle is now breaking down. The family doesn’t just use it to get to work. They also use it to go to the food bank, which they rely on.
Marcia and her husband are squirreling away money for a new engine, but money is tight and there’s no telling when they’ll have enough.
Still, Marcia said they know how lucky they are to have another Christmas as a family.
“We are so thankful to be alive and all together,” Marcia said. “We’ve got iron grit. We just keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. 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, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living in poverty.
Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity 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.
Here are four ways to donate:
• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.
• Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176
• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All 2022 and make a secure, online donation.
• 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.
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