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Mom struggles to support disabled child

Kaye Thornbrugh Staff Writer | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 12 months AGO
by Kaye Thornbrugh Staff Writer
| December 17, 2019 12:00 AM

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

•••

This single mom is working hard to provide for her disabled child. She sees a brighter future on the horizon — but in the meantime, she’s struggling to meet her family’s basic needs.

Subsisting on a limited income, “Carrie” relies on the food bank to feed herself and her daughter, “Annie.”

Due to her disabilities, “Annie” is unable to attend a traditional school. She needs constant supervision and has frequent medical appointments, which make it hard for Carrie to work outside the home.

But Carrie is undergoing training for a new career that will allow her to work from home.

“The job would get us back on our feet and work well for our family, since I can work around our schedule,” she said.

Things are looking up in other ways, too. Annie has made strides this year — her health has improved and so has her schoolwork.

“Depression doesn’t follow me every day, because life doesn’t feel like a hopeless prison anymore,” Carrie said. “Life is way better now than it was a year ago, physically and emotionally.”

Carrie expects it will take a few months for her to get settled in her new job and stabilize her family. But some challenges she’s facing can’t wait that long.

The family’s only car is unsafe to drive and would cost more to repair than it would to replace. Carrie can’t afford another used vehicle — but she needs to take Annie to her medical appointments, which are sometimes emergencies, as well as travel for other necessities like getting groceries.

Assistance from Press Christmas for All would help Carrie and Annie get through this difficult time.

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:

Robert Avon, In Memory of Norma; Arthur and Nancy Flagan; Joy and Allen Sellers; Norma Wilson; Ball Family; Bill and MJ Watt; Jim and Linda Hudec; David Whitman; Darla Finney; James Whitecavage; Debby and Gary Essman; Wllem and Evelyn Huender; William and Donna Faris; Robert and Janet Koca; Stuart Denny; Bill and Barbara Elliott; Bill and Ruth Kauffman; Jack Schnabl, In Memory of Marjorie Schnabl; Anonymous, In Memory of Bob Ross; Collin and Holly Coles; Robert Heintz; Roxanne And James Helgeson; Adrian and Gertrude Bogers; Jeanne and James Whaley; Linda Jo Isaacson; Roger Brockhoff; Jean and Ronald Voights; Brian and Janice Odenthal; William and Kris Wood; Sandra and Frederick Ambrose; Pam and Roger Rowland; Daniel Phillips; Patricia Diotte; Anonymous, In Memory of Riley Shults; TD Ameritrade Clearing; Trudy and Ron Barrett; Kay Hayes; Lawrence and Joanne Castor; James and Signe Shank; Kathy and Kerry Domenichelli; Duane and Sharon Fitch; James and Mary Landers; John and Carolyn Hilgers; Ann and Mark Testroet, In Memory of Betty Strong and Joe Craig; Joyce Dryden; Linda and Fred Quigley; Lubertus and Mary Vanderbilt; Joanne Hellawell; Nickie Odenthal; Edward and Jo Ann Peterson; Kenneth and Karen Moore; Ronald and Donna Halliday; Carly and Jimmy Sheehan; Donald Johnston; Theresa Woods

Donations $500 or more:

Tom Skaar; Angela Vietri; Kevin and Linda Grossheim; Magnuson, McHugh & Company, P.A.; Michael and Roberta Beck; Jack and Jacquelyn Forest; Richard and Marilyn Croy; Peace Lutheran Church; Robert and Mary Yuditsky

Several readers have chosen to donate to Press Christmas for All in lieu of buying family gifts. The Press mails confirmation of the donations to everyone who’s designated.

Here are the people who are donating generously to Press Christmas for All on behalf of friends and family, as well as the names of those friends and family members:

Helen Mitchell donating on behalf of Gary and Karen Mitchell, Troy and Gail Turley, Gwen and Ken Mitchell Locke and Holly and Scott McNee; Ozzie Osborn donating on behalf of Kris, Kari, Andy, Susanne, Logan, Katelyn, Lindy, Kiersti, Daniel, Janae, Elisa, Faith and Joel.

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