As part of the annual Press Christmas for All Campaign, we share with readers the stories of the people applying for help. Here’s one of them.

- • •

The first time “Adam” experimented with drugs as a teenager, he didn’t really want to get high.

Growing up, he was surrounded by violence and crime. He also endured severe physical abuse.

“I wanted to understand why all the neglect and abuse happened,” Adam said. “I wanted to understand what these drugs do.”

His life soon spiraled out of control. He fell in with a bad crowd. Instead of taking prescribed medication to treat his mental illness, Adam self-medicated with heroin.

“I started becoming exactly what I tried to turn from,” he said.

He lost his family. He was often homeless, living in condemned housing or in the woods. For more than a decade, he was in and out of jail — until the Mental Health Court program in Kootenai County helped him get the care he needed.

Adam hasn’t used drugs in 16 months.

“I’ve never been clean this long in my life,” he said.

He’s working full-time and attending treatment. He’s reconnected with his family, spending Thanksgiving with them for the first time in 10 years. He’s also fallen in love.

“She is the greatest person,” Adam said of his partner. “She’d never seen me as a drug addict or a criminal. She is supportive of me.”

The couple’s daughter was born in September, more than 14 weeks premature. Despite the stress of having a baby in NICU, Adam hasn’t relapsed. He spends as much time as possible at the hospital in order to bond with his daughter, whom he hopes to bring home soon.

“The biggest thing in life is family,” he said. “Now that I’ve been able to build my own, I’m excited to see where it’s going to go — to see us flourish.”

Though he works full-time, Adam lives paycheck to paycheck. Money is tight, especially with a baby to raise. He needs snow tires so he can drive his family around safely and a stroller for his daughter. Assistance from Press Christmas for All would help him afford these necessities.

This is the 34th year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, disabled, homeless and mentally ill. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living near or below the poverty level.

The beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All are going to keep their dignity intact while the community provides a hand up to help get them back on their feet.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from CharityReimagined.Org. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers.

With a shorter holiday giving season than usual, please make your donation sooner than later. Here are four ways to do it:

- Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, 83814

- Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176

- Go to cdapress.com. Click on the MENU button, then click on Christmas for All 2019.

- Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The donations are officially coming in. Here’s who contributed recently:

James Sakaguchi; D & A Hughan; In Memory of Tyler William Cordle, Donna and Bill Armbruster; Oram Kramer; In Memory of Aida Andreatta, Lillian J Jaynes; Donald W. Sausser; Don and Kathy Ronson In Memory of Our Daughter Denise; Marston and Julie Westbrook; Brian and Liz Barnes; Jeffrey and Sandra Medved; William and Linda Culp; Gerry Demaris

Donations $500 or more:

Melinda Kirschenmann; R and M Hunt; Thomas and Colleen Tracy