PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Single mom returns to school
As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those have received help from the program. This is one of them.
For years, “Natalie” was a stay-at-home mom to her son. Then her marriage abruptly ended.
“It was an overnight situation,” she said. “I had to walk away from everything.”
Without family in the area to lean on for support and having spent seven years out of the workforce, Natalie found herself struggling to make ends meet as a single mom. At one point, she was working five jobs in order to provide for her son.
These days, Natalie is working full-time while taking a full course load at North Idaho College. She’s studying for a degree in elementary education, something she’d put on hold for years after her son was born. After graduation, she hopes to be a teacher.
NIC’s Center for New Directions, which supports displaced homemakers and single parents, helped Natalie get into the swing of things at college. Her grades were all As and Bs during her first year.
But life has continued to throw challenges her way, including her car breaking down over the summer.
“They told me it was unsafe to drive,” she said.
After a recommendation from the Center for New Directions, Press Christmas for All paid for Natalie’s car repairs. The program also bought Natalie a laptop so she could do her schoolwork.
Natalie said the gifts she received from Christmas for All alleviated the biggest stressors in her life when she had nowhere else to turn for help. She expressed gratitude to the community members whose donations made it possible.
“You guys have been amazing,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done. I don’t have family here. It’s just me.”
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. Christmas for All is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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 2023 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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