Father struggles after losing job
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 13 years, 1 month AGO
<p>Maureen Dolan, education reporter for the Coeur d'Alene Press, accepts a $1,000 donation to the Press Christmas for All program Thursday from the Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff's Association. Photographed, from left, Sgt. Jon Brandel, current president of the association, Dave Dunkin, the association's president elect, and David Vaughn, vice president.</p>
<p>Pearl Bouchard, director of the Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho, accepts a $1,700 donation for the Meals on Wheels program Thursday from the Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff's Association. Photographed, from left, Sgt. Jon Brandel, current president of the association, Dave Dunkin, the association's president elect, and David Vaughn, vice president.</p>
This family's financial woes began a few years before the bottom dropped out of the economy, when the dad was injured.
He could no longer continue doing the physical labor he had always done, work that paid enough to support a wife and four children.
He had to find a new career, and began attending college. He took courses that would give him the skills he needed to get a less physically demanding job.
Money was tight, but he was moving in the right direction, toward a brighter future.
Then, earlier this year, one of his young daughters died.
It hit the dad hard. He was unable to complete his studies and had to drop out of school.
During the months while the father was trying to recover from the loss of his child, he had no income at all.
"Our children are in need of the bare necessities," the wife told Press Christmas for All.
The dad just recently became employed again, but the financial hole his family is in is deep.
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:
Cynthia Mead, in memory of Irene McMinimy; Lynn Jackson, in memory of Glenn Jackson; Dennis & Nancy Johnson; Stephen Bell; Linda Isaacson; Joe & Sandy Wirth; Richard & Nona Barclay; Patricia & Torrence Bonney; John Buting; Richard & Antje Cripe; Roger & Pamela Rowland; Ward & Martha Stewart; Kootenai County Deputy Sheriff's Association; Daniel Gookin.
Christmas
for All
• Goal: $225,000
• Raised: $105,225.36
