This mother of three is struggling to hold onto her family’s home. She’s scrambling to stay on top of bills, keep the electricity on and food in the house.

It’s particularly challenging, the mom told Press Christmas for All, since she and her kids were homeless recently, for two months.

“It’s been extremely difficult and stressful with Christmas around the corner, and due to our circumstances, there is no way we can get presents …,” she said. “Recovering from being homeless has been one of the most difficult challenges yet we have had to face.”

She said she just wants her kids to be able to enjoy Christmas like other children will get to.

“I want to see them smile, and just feel like everything is OK. I don’t want our struggles to have any more effect on them than it already has,” she said. “It would mean a lot to our family if we could have any help at all, seeing my boys happy means everything to me, seeing them excited Christmas morning.”

This is the 32nd year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of people like this during the holiday season.

The program helps everyone in need, including struggling young families, seniors, people with disabilities and mental illnesses. Many are alone, and despair is a common factor.

Through Christmas for All, these less fortunate neighbors feel the compassion of a caring community during what can be a very difficult time of year for them.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. The money collected is distributed in the form of gift cards to those who might not otherwise be able to put a holiday meal on the table or purchase a small gift for a child.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from Kootenai County Fire and Rescue. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers at The Hagadone Corp., the Coeur d’Alene Press and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

Every penny raised is distributed to needy Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp. and the volunteers at Kootenai County Fire and Rescue.

Donations are tax-deductible and can be made by dropping off or mailing a check to: Press Christmas for All, 215 Second St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

Online donations can be made by visiting goo.gl/WospPG.

Recent donors:

Leslie Gourley; Dennis and Kathryn Arneson; Barbara Brouillard and Rhonda Shippy; Reimer and Charlotte Von Sprecken; Kenneth and Karen Moore; Alastair and Joyce Summers; David and Katherine Halpin; “In memory of Dad, Fred E Hood, CW02, U.S.N. Retired”; Vern and Marje Peterson “In loving memory of our grandson, Dustin J.C. Peterson”; Stacy Carson; Heidi Diven; Twyla Jensen; Bradley Raymond; Todd Sloan.