PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL Staying strong through adversity
PRESS STAFF | Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
Cancer & Community Charities, better known as the 3Cs, donates $1,500 to Press Christmas for All. Front, from left, Rene Johnson, Sandy Coleman, Marni Brunansky, Gloria Roberds, Linda Pedersen and Cheryl Miller. Back, from left, Anne Dare, Becca Lines, Beverly Shelton, Kathie Strinz, Barb Stongle and Keri Denney.
RAISED SO FAR: $133,150 RAISED BY THIS DATE LAST YEAR: $154,360 NEEDED TO REACH GOAL: $91,850
As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those applying for help.
This is the story of a young couple, "Shelly" and "Tyler," who have been resilient through life's ups and downs as they work to make a good life for themselves and their two young children.
Shelly and Tyler moved to North Idaho from a small town in the Midwest to try to make it work in the big world. They had an apartment in Coeur d'Alene last year, but when the housing market went crazy, their landlord gave them a 30-day notice after informing them their lease would not be renewed.
"Luckily, we found a beautiful place" in a rural North Idaho town when a sweet couple took a chance on them and allowed them to rent their house, Shelly said, "but now my husband's truck broke down, causing him to lose his job. We are just currently trying to make it through the day with happy faces."
Barely scraping by as it was, Shelly and Tyler had no money to repair the truck.
"Without a second vehicle, my 4-year-old son will have no way to get to Head Start to help him prepare for kindergarten," Shelly said. "With two vehicles, my husband would be able to drive his truck to work, leaving the car with me for the kids."
Shelly and Tyler have been creative in finding ways to get their kids to Head Start and school. They have done their due diligence and filed all necessary paperwork, but the money just wasn't there.
Not until Press Christmas for All stepped in to help with truck repairs to ensure they could have a working vehicle to meet their family's needs.
"Our biggest achievement would be growing as a family," Shelly shared. "My husband and I have learned some valuable lessons from (last) year's setbacks and have come back stronger every time."
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.
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