PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Single mom comes home
Kootenai/Shoshone Farm Bureau donates to Press Christmas for All on Friday. From left, Hailey Hill, Coeur d’Alene Press/Christmas For All; Charlotte J Hooper, ABC (Athol) Food Bank; Leslie Orth, Post Falls Food Bank/3rd Avenue Marketplace; Darrell Rickard, Community Action Partnership; Claire Dunn, Canopy Village; Linda Rider, Kootenai-Shoshone Farm Bureau secretary; Debra Andrews Rathdrum Food Bank; Tim Long, Union Gospel Mission - Cda; Heidi Benson, PB&J Haydeners; Deana Banks, PB&J Haydeners; Fred Scheffelmaier, Kootenai-Shoshone Farm Bureau vice president.
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.
A year ago, single mom “Deborah” was struggling to find a job with a felony conviction on her record. Her rent was past due, her car was dead and she had no family in the area to lean on for support.
Since then, Deborah has worked hard to turn her life around. She found a job and bought a car. She also enrolled at North Idaho College and aims to continue her education after completing an associate degree.
Through it all, she’s stayed sober. She’s attending counseling and peer support groups to help her recovery. She’s done so well that she may get an early release from probation.
“There’s no time like the present and I’m done wasting time,” Deborah said. “I’m motivated to get my life on track to achieve my dreams.”
When Deborah moved into a two-bedroom apartment with her teen son, Christmas for All helped her purchase basic furniture for their new home. Community donations made the gift possible.
The move had another major impact on Deborah’s life: She found people who believed in her.
They came in an unexpected form — her landlords, who have become her “Idaho parents,” helping to guide her through small bumps in life. Their support has helped Deborah to balance single parenthood with work and school.
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 and make a secure online donation.
• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.