As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those applying for help. This is one of them.

Despite serious illness and the day-to-day challenges of raising a family, “Kate” is the happiest she’s been in a long time.

“Even though we’re going through health troubles, I think it brings us closer as a family,” she said.

Just before Thanksgiving 2021, Kate’s fiancé, the father of her 1-year-old son, learned that he was in double kidney failure due to a rare autoimmune condition.

“He’s going to be getting a kidney transplant,” Kate said.

He undergoes dialysis three times a week, slotting the life-saving treatments into his 12-hour shifts at work.

“He’s the most hard-working man,” Kate said. “He goes in for overtime as much as he can. He works hard to provide for us on top of fighting double renal failure at 32.”

Kate has juggled working, raising her son and supporting her fiancé through his illness. She also enrolled in the Adult Education Program at North Idaho College in order to study for her GED.

With only an aging desktop computer available to her, Kate struggled to keep up with her schoolwork while also caring for her son and ferrying her fiancé to medical appointments.

Christmas for All provided Kate with a laptop, which gave her more flexibility to study in different areas of her home or even away from home.

She completed her GED in August.

“Without that help, it was going to be really hard for me to do that,” she said.

The laptop has also allowed Kate to work from home. Now she can spend more time with her son and save money on child care.

“He’s a handful,” she said with a laugh. “He’s a mama’s boy but he loves his daddy very much. He enjoys me being able to stay at home with him.”

Each year, Press readers donate generously to Press Christmas for All. 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, people with disabilities, veterans, the homeless and those with mental illnesses. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living in poverty.

Beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All keep their dignity 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.

Here are four ways to donate:

• Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

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

• Visit cdapress.com. Click on Christmas for All 2022 and make a secure, online donation.

• 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.

Ronald & Beverly Noble; David & Karen Burkle; Michael & Lauri Armon; Anonymous; Kathy Henderson in loving memory of my daughter Robin Leferink.; Kathleen Henderson; James & Linda Hudec; Peter & Mary Wikstrom; Cal Meierbachtol; Louise Rossi; Eva Goetz; Larry and Laura Mindt; Jan & Robert Wilson; Sharon & Raymond Bradley; Ralph & Janice Baker; Betty Bray-Baker; Gary Freeland; Doug & Mary Somers; Donna Bresemann; Anonymous; Cricket Pierce; Sean & Kathy Urquhart; In honor of Ethan, Xana, Kaylee, and Madison; Jim Walden and Nancy Brown

$500 OR MORE

Don and Connie Boyd; Ed and Terri Morse; Mr. Alva Osborn; Keith and Sandra Matheney; Jan and Dan Kaestner; Dr. and Mrs. John Aalbers