Mother wants daughter's health to improve

If this mother could have anything she wants this Christmas, it would be for her daughter's health to improve.

But she knows that's not going to happen. Her grown child has advanced breast cancer.

"This is probably our last Christmas with her," she said, her voice breaking. "I can hardly say those words."

Her son-in-law lost his job earlier this year. Before Thanksgiving, he dropped the couple's two children off at the grandparents' house and asked if they could keep the kids for a few days, so he could go visit his own parents in Alaska.

"We said, 'Of course,' and told our daughter to come stay here too, so she wouldn't be alone," the mother said.

Their son-in-law hasn't returned, and they haven't heard from him since Thanksgiving Day, when he called to say he wasn't coming back for a while.

"He's pretty torn up, having a hard time with everything that's happened. His kids need him now, but he can't be there for them. It's sad," the mother said.

She and her husband have done what they could for their daughter's family, she said.

"But now we have two little kids we're supporting completely, and we don't have a lot of money. I'm glad they're here, but it's so hard," she said.

Her husband has a pulmonary condition and is on oxygen. He can't work and receives disability. She was working part-time, but had to quit to take care of her grand-kids and her sick daughter.

"I can barely afford groceries, and we can't get any help for the kids because they're not ours. My daughter's too sick to deal with any of that, and we don't want her to worry," the mother said.

A friend told her about Press Christmas for All, so she applied because she wants to make a nice holiday meal and get a small gift for each of her grandchildren.

"This is such a sad, sad time for all of us, maybe this will make it a little nicer," 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: H. G. Robideaux; Becky Shellman; The Van Rooy Family; Anonymous; Doris Clemans (In memory of Virginia Jones); Gary & Joan Olson; John & Laurie Sharples; Frieda Reed (In memory of Virginia Jones); M.C. Bourland, Jr. & Edith Ferguson; William & Kris Wood; Anonymous; Laura Ramirez & Erich Webb; Dean & Sharon Lundblad; Carmen Olson; Jack & Myrna Champine; Dennis & Nancy Johnson; Richard & Lori Nordhausen; Linda Nesser; Roberta Larson; Victoria Kimball; Tim & Wanda Quinn; Ruth Pratt; Vickie Davis; Heidi Rogers; Deanna Goodlander; Debora Caires Nelson; Laundry Night Ladies; Anonymous; 6th grade class from Canfield Middle School: Anita & Jake Self; Anonymous; His wife, children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren (In memory of Rich Nowoj - Papa); Michael & Linda Wells; Gordon & Tracy Donald; Hearn-Johnson Family; Texas Roadhouse; Welch Comer & Associates, Inc.; Cd'A Press employees; SANTA!; Mike & Lisa Palaniuk; Berwyn Palmer & Kent Palmer; Norb & Bev Twillman.

Notes from

our donors

We are blessed to be able to "stand in the gap" for our fellow friends and neighbors and make their Christmas a bit more special.

- Gordon and Tracy Donald