Join us in making a difference: Coeur d'Alene Press launches Christmas for All campaign

Dear Readers, Subscribers and Friends of the Coeur d'Alene Press, 

As the holiday season approaches, it is with gratitude and renewed commitment that we launch the Coeur d'Alene Press’s annual Christmas for All campaign, a cherished tradition now spanning nearly four decades. Since 1985, this program has embodied the compassion, generosity and resilience of Kootenai County. Year after year, Christmas for All has been a beacon of hope for families facing difficult times, helping them not just to make ends meet during the holidays but to start fresh, uplifted by a community that cares.

Our 2024 campaign runs from Nov. 29 through Dec. 24, and it is a pivotal opportunity for all of us to come together and make a difference. This year, our goal is to raise $250,000 to support our neighbors in need — a significant target reflecting our community's rising needs. We are inspired by our most significant fundraising year in 2020 when we raised $325,000, a powerful example of what we can accomplish together. With your support, we hope to come close to, or even exceed, that achievement.

The support we provide now — whether through a small gift or a significant contribution — will help our neighbors face their challenges with greater confidence, dignity and optimism. This spirit of giving has never been about charity in the traditional sense; instead, it’s about offering a “hand up” to those who need it most. This program, reimagined in 2019, aligns with our commitment to fostering a cycle of self-sufficiency, pride and positive change within our community. 

Since that transformation, Christmas for All has raised over $641,000 through the remarkable support of subscribers, readers and local businesses, a testament to the strength of our collective dedication. These funds have been instrumental in providing essential assistance in numerous areas. For example: 

• Auto, Tire and Gas Assistance: $194,000 for crucial vehicle repairs and transportation 

• Food Assistance: $194,000 in food certificates to ensure families can share a meal 

• Clothing and Household Furnishings: $61,000 to help create a stable home environment 

• Dental and Hearing Services: $42,000 for critical health needs 

• Education and Computer Support: $20,000 to support growth and learning 

• Household Repairs and Mobility Devices: $50,000 to maintain safe, accessible living conditions 

• Rent and Utility Assistance: $60,000 to keep families warm and secure 

This campaign’s success depends on contributions at every level. We encourage our readers, families and even classrooms to get involved; for instance, organizing a “change for change” drive can turn spare coins into impactful gifts. Local businesses, too, have an essential role to play. We invite corporate leaders to join Super 1 Foods, one of our most steadfast partners, to amplify our reach significantly. Corporate gifts can range from $10,000 to $40,000, while individual donations, which form the heart of this campaign, span from $5 to $5,000. 

Christmas for All also depends on a network of dedicated referring partners, who have grown from 10 to over 35 since the program’s inception. Over the past five years, nearly 80% of Christmas for All recipients come from Kootenai County’s ALICE population — asset-limited, income-constrained and employed. We continually seek additional support from providers like local dentists and household repair services to enhance the scope of assistance we can offer. 

We are deeply grateful to Super 1 and the McIntyre family, whose support in matching food gift certificates magnifies the impact of every dollar raised. To Maggie Lyons, Charity Reimagined, and our many community partners, thank you for sharing this mission and working with us to make Kootenai County a place where everyone can thrive. 

I ask you, our readers and community members, to join us in this shared endeavor to support those in need. Together, we are building a stronger community, one family at a time, helping our neighbors rise, thrive and ultimately give back. This makes Christmas for All more than a campaign — it’s a movement of collective strength, compassion and hope. 

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes for the season ahead, 

Clint Schroeder, 

President and Executive Publisher 

Hagadone Newspaper and Media Groups