Unemployment and sickness have taken a toll on this couple.

They married earlier this year, bringing their children from previous relationships with them to create a new family of five. The newlyweds' high hopes for their future together were quickly dashed by misfortune.

"I am afraid we may become homeless," said the mother of three.

Her husband was laid off from his job just weeks after their spring wedding. In July, the mom needed emergency gall bladder surgery. She went back to work, but then required another emergency surgery, the result of a complication from the first one.

Now neither parent is working.

"I am still not doing well and cannot lift anything over 10 pounds yet," she said. "The last surgery isn't healed and I may need a third surgery to repair it again. It's just one thing after another here."

Her husband found a job during the summer, but it was short-lived. He has been out of work again since August.

She said her husband's small unemployment payments are just enough to pay the rent space for their trailer, "which is falling apart and barely keeps us warm in these frigid times." They are using space heaters they've borrowed from friends and family to stay warm, and have no snow shovel to clear their walkways or driveway.

"We are praying that somewhere my husband can find a job soon," she said.

They have given up everything that is not a necessity, including telephone service.

"Times are very rough, and we are keeping God in our hearts and spirits that something will change soon," the mom said. "We are keeping the Christmas spirit alive by singing and playing Christmas songs all day long."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for folks like this - people left jobless, homeless or who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Last year our generous readers' donations allowed us to assist thousands of families in need, and this year we've been asked to help far more.

Each day until Christmas, we will share with you the stories of those whose holiday memories will be a little happier because of Press Christmas for All.

Donations are collected, then distributed in the form of gift cards to Kootenai County residents in need.

Press Christmas for All is a holiday charity now in its 25th year. It is managed as a nonprofit by The Hagadone Corp. Because it is run by volunteers from The Hagadone Corp. and their partners at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards to Fred Meyer and to Super 1 Food Stores. Contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products.

To donate, please send a check to:

Press Christmas for All

201 Second St.

Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

You can also call (208) 664-8176 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and donate by credit card.

Recent donors include:

Akers Logging, Inc.; Anonymous; Doris Bartlett; John & Linda Boughton; In loving memory of Irene Capaul; Peggy & Stephen Cedros; Irene Charles; In loving memory of Tyler Cordle; Janice D'Arc; Mary & James Daley; Lt Col USAF (RET) Joseph & Marylou Dion; Pat Dyke; Ruth Ekins; J.D. & C.M. Fernlund; Donna Goodwin; Charlene Halfhide; Pearl Harwood; Cecil & Mary Alice Hathaway; Hayden Meadows Kitchen Staff; H.L. & K.D. Hayes; Fred & Frances Hesser; The Don Horne Family; Jackie & Robert Jewett; John & Monika Krapfl; James & Sandra Kravik; Howard & Patricia Lytle; Richard Lund; Julia & James Mangan; Susan & John McGinnis; Nancy Mertz; Charles & Marialyce Miller; Lt. Col USAF (RET) John H. Miller; Gunter & Ellen Milow; A.H. & R.L. Near; Ronald & Beverly Noble; North Idaho Classics Car Club, Inc.; Rosie Peasley; Cathy & Fred Potter; Mildred Rambo; Richard & Joanne Raymond; Dan & Marilyn Roden; Rhoda Schlehuber; Audrey Schutz; R.D. & B.A. Spencer; Bern & Rita Welter; Marty & Julie Westbrook; In memory of Doris Wiegand; Weldon & Susan White; Barbara Zimmer.