What do you get for the person who has everything?

A gift for someone in need.

That’s exactly what a local Press subscriber is doing. Instead of purchasing physical items or gift cards for his family this Christmas, he’s donating to Press Christmas for All on their behalf.

“Nine times out of 10, you beat yourself up trying to figure out what to give to people, because they don’t really need anything,” he told The Press on Thursday.

The subscriber, who wished to remain anonymous, said he’s been mulling the idea over for a while.

Scattered across the country, his relatives are fortunate and happy. They don’t need material goods, he said, but they would appreciate knowing that someone else has received much-needed help on their behalf.

“I thought if I could do something to help these families, it would be a nice thing, because we don’t need any help,” he said.

When he mentioned the plan to his sister, who lives in Minnesota, the subscriber said she thought it was a great idea. In fact, she was inspired to do the same thing, donating to a local cause on her brother’s behalf in lieu of a physical gift.

The subscriber said he hopes others consider giving the gift of help to families in need this year.

“It might be a nice way to start doing Christmas,” he said.

The Press will mail confirmation of the donations to everyone who’s designated.

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.

Here’s who contributed recently:

Dennis Family; Laura Kubica; Deerwester Family; Larry and Karen Groscost; Brian and Margaret Reparuk; Tom and Nancy Burke; Olive Allison and Edward Lockwood; Isreal and Donna Melendez; Eugene and Mavis Yantzer; Charlene Jones; In Memory of Rose Pfennig; Linda Lewis; Janice D’Arce; Clyde Ylitalo; Beverly Delavan; Nancy George; Paul and Patricia Barrett; Donald and Judy Schaffer; In Memory of Arlene Lund; Louise Rossi, In Memory of Vince Rossi; George and Karen Wells; Gloria Willard; Richard and Iyn Gerhard, In Memory of Merri Ellen; A. Arlene Pischner; Sherry and Paul Munroe; Kim Cannon; William and Barbara Neal

Donations $500 or more:

Kootenai County Fire & Rescue from their annual Candy Cane Run; Pam Ness; Larry Echelberger