This young mother said she does her best to support her little boy.

It has always been just the two of them, she told Christmas for All.

Her child has a safe, warm home and food, and that should be all that matters, she said. They live a no-frills life, and usually, that’s OK.

“But I find it especially rough this time of year because I work so hard and still can’t provide the little things for the Christmas season,” she said. “We don’t have much family either, so I try my best to make things cheerful without any extra income.”

This year, the holiday season is particularly challenging, she said, because she had to stop working for a while to care for her sick mother.

“Playing catch up on my bills has placed me extremely behind,” she said.

A holiday charity like Christmas for All gives her hope, she said, that she can still create some happy childhood memories for her son until things get better for them.

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 common.

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:

Fleet Feet Coeur d’Alene Jingle Bell Run; David and Lana McGuire “In memory of our daughter Charline”; Diane Legerski; James and Terry Hamby; Carla Hauer and Debbie Tolzmann; James and Judy Sullenberger; Lubertus and Mary Vanderbilt; Dennis and Carolyn O’Brien; Hayden Car Wash; James and Signe Shank; Timothy and Janet Kavran; Phillip and Mary Hayes; Craig and Janet Heilman; David Morrow Family “In memory of William and Dorothy Morrow”; Carolyn Hague “In memory of Denny Hague”; Donna and Bill Armbruster “In memory of grandson Tyler Cordle”; Jeannine Hicks; Kerry and Vicki Blettner; Donna Kay Fladager; Judith Robbins; The Shea Family; Edison Abel; Janice Abel; John and Maureen Heider; Reid and Terri Ahlf; Chris and Scott Mikle; Brian and Dana Kroetch “In memory of my parents, Fritz & Anna Kindler and my Great Aunt, Ann Neuman”; Esther Alme; Jeannette Hill; Bob and Dorothy Yohe; Bright Beginnings, Linda Fabian; Inland Insurance Advisors, LLC, James Ummel; James and Nancy Barney; Polly Jones; Doug and Terri Honken; Douglas and Margaret Albertson; Frank and Susan Baker; Mike and Lou Talbot; Howard and Patricia Lytle; Shirley and Paul Binfield; Janice Dahlberg “In memory of Bill Dahlberg”; Betty Capaul and Carolyn Cooper “In memory of Ray Capaul”; William and Donna Faris; The Parson Family; Doug and Mary Somers; Marjorie Colwell; Graham and Betsy Crutchfield; Silver Creek Signs; Sam and Pam Whitaker “In loving memory of my mom Vivian and sister Sandee”; CDA Athletic Roundtable.