With $2 borrowed from a relative, this mom was able to purchase some used winter clothes for her 3-year-old.

As the child sat on the floor, tearing into the thrift store bags, he shrieked with delight.

"For me, it made me kind of sad," she said. Life has become increasingly difficult for this family in the last few months.

The mom said they have never been so broke before the holidays, or ever.

The couple has two toddlers, and recently got custody of the dad's two older children, an 8-year-old and 10-year-old.

Any extra money the father had, before things got really tough, was spent fighting for his kids.

His small business has been struggling, and the mom was laid off from her job a few months ago. They have both been looking for work, applying everywhere they can.

"There are so many applications. That's all we've heard," the mom said.

They've applied for assistance, but it hasn't come through. With the holidays looming, there is no money for gas, or anything else.

"We haven't been able to pay rent for the past two months," she said. "It's a blessing that we're still in a house."

She doesn't know how long they'll be able to hold on, let alone do anything special for their kids for Christmas.

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:

Michael & Nancy Fauntleroy; Donald & Charlotte Keane; Raymond & Patricia Pollard; Joe & Diane Dahlheim; Joseph & Marylou Dion; Richard & Shirlee Wandrocke; Graham & Betsy Crutchfield; Bette Inseth; Lois Johnson, In Memory of My Husband Harry; Donald & Donna Bresemann; Larry & Bobbie Wolf; Joan Luce; Modern Glass.

Share your story

• If you asked for help from Press Christmas for all this holiday season, you can still help others by sharing your story with a reporter. Call or email Maureen Dolan, (208)664-8176 ext. 2005 or mdolan@cdapress.com.