For as long as she can remember, the Christmas season has been a difficult time for this woman. She told Press Christmas for All this holiday season is proving to be the toughest of all.

Living with a mental illness, she always relied heavily on her mother and the rest of her family members to help keep her spirits up in December.

Those supports are now gone, including the people she relied on most to guide her through life. She lost her mother to pancreatic cancer and her longtime case manager to a brain aneurysm. Now, she is homeless and alone.

"When my mother died, I started having mood swings and in a manic episode, got married to someone my family did not agree with," she said.

Her extended family members severed all ties with her. Although the marriage has since ended, the woman said her family still refuses to have contact with her.

"I've never been separated from them and am having a hard time learning how to deal with it," she said.

She said she's now working with a local social services agency.

"I'm trying to put my life back together," she said.

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: Alex & Zach Mackimmie; Anonymous; The City of Cd'A Fire Department: Administration & Office Staff; Ray & Betty Capaul (In memory of our daughters: Connie & Debbie); Donald Robson; Paul Rich; Harvey Boeck; Anonymous; Tinah Kromoff; Tammy & Fred Ritzheimer; Jack & Leeann Drapeau; Patty Humphery & Mark Baxter; Delphine Kenney; Donald & Geraldine Motz; Mary Ellen Wilson; Sorella; Frank & Leta Jessick; Martha Dorage; Anonymous; Delores Griffin; Barbara Ketchum; Helen Barclay; Shannon Howry; Lurae Laferriere; Mik's Red Hot Mamas, LLC; Lawrence & Diane Boreham; Dioma Wardian; Weldon & Susan White; Anonymous; Faye Shankle; Bob & Dorothy Yohe; Patricia Perry; Jacqueline Somerville; Dennis & Connie Ripatti; W. Huender; Ione Mullins; Tom & Carolyn Leege; Conrad & Marilyn Lahr; Duane & Sharon Fitch; Barbara Koczyk; Anonymous; Raymond & Betty Stone; T. Sholeh & Michael Patrick; Thomas Kane.

Anonymous antes up

Press Christmas for All is running behind.

Thank goodness, Anonymous in Athol is running ahead.

The annual donor who gets a kick out of letting people guess his identity (and nobody has) pledged $12,000 on Tuesday - $2,000 more than last year.

"Two reasons," he said of the boost in his benevolence. "One, I'd like others to reach a little deeper and give more than they did last year to ensure the goal is reached this year."

The other?

"It's 2012, so 12 (thousand) sounds about right."

Notes from our donors

The stories in The Press are just heartbreaking. This donation is given in the name of Jesus, who has great compassion for the poor and hurting.

- Betty Marshall

It makes my heart proud to know we have so many caring and giving folks living here in our town.

- Cheri and Ted McCaffree