Christmas is an extra special day for these 7-year-old twin girls. It's also their birthday.

But for this year's holiday, the girls' parents are struggling to earn extra money for the dual celebrations. They recently went very quickly from a family of four to a family of seven when the twins' parents adopted three more children.

"My husband's nephews were being neglected. It was abusive. We had to get them out of there," the twins' mother told Christmas for All.

She said several years ago, her husband's older sister, the boys' mother, was seriously injured in a car crash that left her in a coma. She has never fully recovered and lives in a medical facility in another state.

The boys - ages 4, 9 and 11 - remained in their father's care. "They lived in Utah, so we didn't see them much. We kept asking their father if he needed help, and he always told us he didn't. They were fine, he said," the twins' mother reported. "Then he stopped answering the phone or returning our calls."

Worried, the twins' father eventually drove to his brother-in-law's home in Utah. There, he discovered that his nephews were in a crisis situation. Their father was drinking heavily, often leaving them home alone. They were missing school, and not eating and bathing regularly.

"We had to use all our savings to legally adopt them," she said. "Now we're living paycheck to paycheck to provide for them, but they're safe."

She said she has never asked for help like this before, but because her girls have been so welcoming of their new family members, she wants to make sure their Christmas birthday is at least a little special.

"But we just can't afford it," 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 29th 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 from 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.

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