PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL Place to stay helps cancer patient on his way
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.
An artist with an interest in abstract painting and antiques found himself without a home about six years ago.
"Chris" traveled the country looking for the perfect place to live. He found that perfect place when he discovered Coeur d'Alene in 2013. He worked a number of different jobs until 2018, when he began to struggle with housing insecurity. He has been in and out of homelessness ever since.
Last December, Chris was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. With everything happening so fast, he delayed treatment because he didn't have a stable home to return to while going through chemotherapy and radiation.
Working with Heritage Health's Street Medicine program, Chris finally started his cancer treatment in June. His prognosis is positive; he is soon expected to be free of cancer.
Chris' request to Press Christmas for All was for help paying for housing the last month of his treatment. Lake Drive Motel was willing to let him stay for four weeks for $1,560. Chris said having a safe place to rest between treatments and a consistent location to be picked up and dropped off for appointments would make all the difference in him being able to continue treatment and beat cancer.
"This experience has given me a new outlook on life and a new perspective about what's important," Chris said.
Chris is most proud of the improvement in his painting over the last year.
"He had to focus on self-reflection, self-recovery and finding the truth," his Press Christmas for All applicant story reads. "Getting to know himself has put him in a position to be able to accept help, something he's never done in the past. He finally feels like he's in a position where he can start thinking about the future instead of living moment to moment."
Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. The money raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents.
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.
A heartfelt thanks to our recent donors
Pam & Larry Ratliff; Carol Wilson; Penny Weiss; Brenda Christensen; Blessings Pinochle Club from Betty, Connie, Eva, Jackie, Judy, Sandy, Jana, Jerika; Wesley & Mary Schmidt; Roseanne Valentino; Becky Shellman; Norbert & Beverly Twillmann; Connie Northrup; In Memory of Carolyn Crowe, by James Crowe; Nancy & Robert Thiessen; David & Joan Kellner; Lawrence & Joanne Castor; In Memory of Roger Hansen from Jean Hansen; Robert Blansfield; Sharon & John Keating; Dennis & Cathy Keim; David Brown; In memory of Bob & Virgina Paulos from Bill & Nancy Carlson
