This grandma says she spent a lot of Christmases alone. Her husband died 10 years ago. After he was gone, she was lonely and finances were tight, but she got by.

"When Christmas came, I'd think about the children and families who have it a lot worse than me," she said.

Now she has her own young child to worry about, her 5-year-old grandson. That's why this year, she turned to Christmas for All for help.

Earlier this year, she took guardianship of the boy.

The child's mother, her daughter, returned to using drugs after years of recovery.

"She did really good for a while. Breaks my heart," the woman said.

The grandmother hasn't been able to work in years. She was diagnosed with MS not long after her husband died. She has trouble with her vision and difficulty speaking sometimes. Through the years, her symptoms have become more debilitating. She often uses a cane to get around.

"I have trouble with balance. I can't move quite right sometimes," she said.

She's raising her grandchild on very limited means, and hopes her daughter is able to turn her life around and be there for the boy again someday. For now though, she said the child has brought a lot of unexpected joy into her life.

"I didn't realize how lonely I was," she said.

She relies on food stamps and food banks to make sure the boy has enough to eat.

She said the child seldom complains, and often makes her laugh.

"He's such a good boy. He misses his mom, but he doesn't act up," she said. "I don't want something for myself, just for him."

With our readers' assistance, Press Christmas for All works to brighten the holidays for people like this - the jobless, homeless, those who are barely making ends meet, individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Many are alone this holiday season.

Each year, our generous readers' donations allow us to assist thousands of Kootenai County 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 27th 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, with assistance from North Idaho College employee volunteers, every penny raised is distributed in the form of gift cards from Shopko or Super 1 Foods, local retailers who also generously support the program. The cards can be used to buy food and gifts but not alcohol or tobacco products. All contributions are tax deductible.

To give, 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.

Donations can be made securely online at www.christmasforallcda.com

Recent donors: Bill & Gloria Vonberg (In loving memory of Jack & Madeline Christopher); Earl & Patricia Lind; Stanley & Mona Wolf; James & Joy Drechsel; Phyllis & Dale Holte (In loving memory of Rod & Ron); Ed & Terri Morse; Ray & Phyllis Turk; Stanley & Nancy West; Dennis & Teresa Wolfe; Sandy Langston (In memory of my parents: Ed & Jean Langston and my daughter Melissa J. Goedde); Dorothy Clark; Karin & Kyle Brown; Sheila Gary; Brenda Dippel; Betty Marshall; Carol Enders; Gene Pierson; Ellen Carrithers; Anonymous; Chris & Vicki Miller; Lillian Jaynes & Terry Rinaldi; Clyde Ylitalo; Janet Reagan; Edith Brehm (In memory of my husband Dan Brehm); Ray & Marcine Doyal; Bob & Barbara Lee (In memory of our son Mike); W.A. or C.F. Delyea; Rebecca & Eugene Bowen; Cheri & Ted McCaffree; Rita Crawford; Robert Avon; Lucille & John Smith; Anonymous; Frances Bell; L. Sharples; Coeur d'Alene Eagles No. 486; Larry Echelberger.

Notes from our donors

What a worthwhile cause started many years ago. Please have a Merry Christmas.

- Oz and Kris Osborn

CFA fundraiser

Texas Roadhouse is holding a carry-out lunch fundraiser today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Press Christmas for All. Pulled pork sandwich, corn, coleslaw and roll with cinnamon honey butter for $7, with $5 from each lunch going to Christmas for All.