PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: 'When life gets flipped upside down, you have to learn how to flip it back up'

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those who have received help from the program. This is one of them.

Press Christmas for All team members asked our referring partners if they knew any clients whose children could benefit from an adventure that would build confidence and make for an exciting outdoor excursion.

Dogsmile Adventures, a therapeutic sailing nonprofit, answered the call for that experience, treating six children ages 10-16 to five days of sailing camp. The children were identified based on the needs of their families and the efforts their loved ones were making to move forward past their hardships and trauma.

One of the moms described the impact of sailing camp on her son, "Oliver," who at first wasn't too excited about it.

"After the first day of camp ended, he had the biggest smile on his face," the mom said. "I didn't have to fight him to go another day. He would have spent the entire summer sailing if he could. It was a really good experience for him."

Oliver shared how he learned to put together a sailboat and how to tie different knots.

"We sailed out into the lake and talked," he said. "At first, we talked about how to sail, and then after that we talked about how sailing can apply to real life. When life gets flipped upside down, you have to learn how to flip it back up. I would love to be out and sail more. It felt open, and I felt relaxed to be out on the water and they made me feel like family.

Dogsmile Adventures executive director and founder Jon Totten said the collaboration between the nonprofits is a mission-driven bullseye for Dogsmile.

"These kids don't have access to boats on Lake Coeur d'Alene," he said. "Our work gives them that access, which means that they get the same experiences and benefits as the others. Junior sailing is all about connecting with nature, learning a new skill, teamwork, adventure and resilience; but for these kids there's something more. There's a sense of belonging, of being part of a group that they don't often feel due to their situation."

Totten said these kids are why he started Dogsmile Adventures.

"I set out to provide sailing experiences to those without access and these collaborations are the key," he said. "There's nothing quite like watching a 12-year-old sail a boat all on their own having never even seen a sailboat five days prior. It's not easy. It takes courage and determination. These experiences will serve them the rest of their lives. I couldn't be more proud of this program."

Visit dogsmileadventures.org for details about Totten's nonprofit.

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 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.