It has been a year since this woman found herself on her own, with no resources and responsible for two children.

Her husband, the children's father, left the family. He was abusive,the woman said, and left them with nothing.

Since he wouldn't let her work outside the home, she had no employment experience and no real support system to turn to for help after he left.

She found a small camper for herself and her kids to live in, and said she is "grateful for a bed and protection from the weather."

The woman began looking for work, but could not find anyone willing to hire her for more than a year.

Then, things began looking up, a little. She finally found a job.

But it was short-lived. She worked for two months and was able to pay a few bills and heat the camper before being unexpectedly laid off.

The mom is looking for a job again, and trying to hold on.

She receives monthly child support, but the check is small. Her husband's work hours were cut, so in turn, she receives less for the children.

Most of it goes toward purchasing toiletries and other items the kids need so they can go to school. They rely on food stamps to eat.

"I'm drowning," the mom said.

She has no way to provide anything special for her children for the holiday.

It has been a difficult year for the kids, she said. One of them spent several weeks in the hospital after a suicide attempt.

"I really appreciate any consideration for my family," the woman 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:

Rob & Jill Rollins, & the employees at Sterling Codifiers; Terry & Sharon Edelbute; Peter & Renate Rau; Donna Young; Michael & Nancy Presti; Sawyer Plumbing; Beverly & Jack Delavan; Larry & Laureen Belmont; Shirley & Paul Binfield; Bruce & Debra Izatt; Patricia Perry; Russ & Laura Ulrich; James & Barbara Browne; M. Jean Oliver; James Westerberg, in loving memory of wife Kathy; James & Toni Christy; Eugene & Dianne Ansbaugh; Rudolph & Sharon Weiss; Norma Lindsay, in memory of mother Stella; Cd'A Volkssport Club, Inc.; Nancy Mertz; Arthur & Jearl Wood; Anonymous; Nome Polites; Anonymous; W. & C. Delyea; Janet Reagan; Anna Kenck, in memory of Louis Kenck; Sandy Goedde, in memory of Ed & Jean Langston, & Melissa Goedde; the Martz Family; Kay & Bud Sanders; Malcolm & Virginia Seddon; Loretta Brueher; Helen Herndon; Dean & Gladys Cody; Ray & Beverly Garland; Jessie & Joe Jordahl; Faye Shartzer; Richard & Lois Nimtz; Mr. & Mrs. MJ Vigue; Lohman Catron; Shirley Ely; Dennis & Teresa Wolfe; Kenneth & Sherry Beno; John & Gloria Lundeberg; Donald Grunsted; Coeurly Q's Square Dance Club; Twyla Jensen; June Everson, in memory of Kenneth Everson; Adrian & Gertrude Bogers; Sue & Tom Thilo; Deborah Dickinson, in memory of husband Jim Dickinson; Anonymous; Thomas & Sherri Patton, in loving memory of son Tyler J. Patton; Anonymous; Charles Cardarelli, M.D.; Idaho Community Foundation.

Christmas for All

• Goal: $225,000

• Raised: $76,620