Please help ensure nice Christmas for All

It's beginning to look a lot like Press Christmas for All.

As a matter of fact, today marks the kickoff of the 29th annual local holiday fundraiser. This year's goal is $175,000.

From now through Christmas Day, readers like you are being asked to donate what you can to help a neighbor in need. Press Christmas for All, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit managed by The Hagadone Corp., is a rarity. Every penny raised goes to a needy Kootenai County family or individual.

In fact, thanks to generous donations from Super 1 Foods and Shopko, Press Christmas for All gives more than 100 percent back to the community. Here's how it works:

* Mail your fully tax-deductible check to Press Christmas for All, 201 Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID. You can also make a secure credit card donation by calling (208) 664-8176 or by going to cdapress.com.

* Press Christmas for All will share daily stories of needy families throughout the campaign, and provide updates on the fundraising goal.

* Press Christmas for All will purchase gift cards from Super 1 and Shopko for the full amount of money raised. Shopko and Super 1 will each chip in an additional 10 percent of whatever is purchased, increasing your gift's actual buying power.

* Volunteers at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue are once again keeping a database of all applications from needy local residents. Those volunteers will spread the joy shortly before Christmas, distributing close to $200,000 worth of gift cards to those in need.

As always, The Press will publish the names of every donor to the program, and photos of those giving $500 or more.