This young woman wants nothing for herself from Press Christmas for All.

She is recently divorced, works full-time and has a 5-year-old daughter she is raising.

She also has five younger brothers and sisters she is now legally responsible for. She went to court and took full custody of them six months ago because her mother, addicted to drugs and alcohol, could no longer care for them.

"So expensive to provide a home for seven on one income, but I make ends meet," she wrote on her application to Press Christmas for All. "I go without so my siblings and daughter can have what they need."

She said she never realized just how difficult being a single parent would be.

The brothers and sisters, born to two different fathers, have no other family. Both of the dads died a few months apart eight years ago.

The young woman said she strives to provide a home for all of them because "family is everything, and this is my family."

It's hard and it's stressful doing this on her own, she said, but she does it because she doesn't know where her brothers and sisters would go, who they would live with.

"So please Christmas for All, please help me to bring some joy and happiness back into my broken family," she wrote.

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:

Fran & Gerald Ellig; M.A. Sandstrom; Gwen Letson; Nancy Wright; Evalyn Adams; Richard & Judith Kurth, In Loving Memory of Brock Cramer; Susan & Marvin Pridemore; Paul & Lisa Ferguson; F W & Alice Henderson; M.S. McElfresh; Richard & Candace White; W.Wray & Antoinette Wilson; Charlene Halfhide; Lil & Bud Muench; Roger Spencer, In Loving Memory of Barbara Spencer; Shirley Wastweet; Roger & Barbara Hudson; Dave & Sue Nussear; Janice D'arc; Charles & Mary Adams, In Loving Memory of our son Chuck Jr.; John & Monika Krapfl

Notes from

our donors

I don't have anyone left to give presents to, so hope this helps some local kids.

ROGER SPENCER

Hayden