She said she reads the Press Christmas for All stories each year, and she has never asked for help until now.

The mother of two teens, her only source of income is a monthly Social Security disability benefit of $852 which she receives because she has a learning disability.

Reading, writing and arithmetic are impossible for her.

"All of it, what my teacher called the basic life skills. I'm never going to be a bank clerk. I'd never be able to support myself or my kids," she said.

It's a struggle living on her income. Their rent is $765 per month and the phone bill is $38.

"That leaves me with $49 per month, and that usually always goes to my boys," she said. "I don't think about myself."

Things got particularly difficult this year after her mother was diagnosed with cancer.

She took her mom in and cared for the older woman, taking her to doctor's appointments, helping her recover from several surgeries and procedures.

It took a toll on the family's already meager finances because until recently, her mother had no income of her own.

"From April to October, I paid for everything," she said.

She said she's grateful her mom seems to be healing while she continues to battle the cancer.

Her son tells her she's "selfless," she said, but she doesn't see it that way.

"I'm the daughter. I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do. My mother cared for me," she said. "And my boys, well, they're my responsibility."

Each holiday season, she said she thinks about donating to Press Christmas for All, but that's never been an option.

"We're always strapped, no matter what time of year it is," she said.

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.

Each day until Christmas, we will share 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 26th 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 for Shopko and Super 1. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.

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:

Anonymous; James & Sue Stillinger; Yvonne Pate; Rose Burnham, in loving memory of husband Walt; Ruth Gandy; John & Carolyn Hilgers; Bea & LaVon Stuart, in loving memory of our son and brother Bobby; Rick Hill, in memory of Grandparents Ray & Ruth Jones