As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers the stories of those who have received help from the program. This is one of them.

For years, single mom “Marissa” used illegal drugs in order to numb the pain of a traumatic childhood. She knew she needed to change her life when her substance abuse nearly led to an unthinkable tragedy.

In 2020, Marissa’s toddler daughter got into an illicit substance that had been left out.

“I didn’t know what was wrong with her when I called 911,” Marissa said. “She was having trouble breathing and unresponsive.”

Her daughter spent a week in intensive care but recovered fully, which Marissa said is a blessing.

Meanwhile, Marissa faced felony charges. She pleaded guilty to injury to a child and received a sentence of 90 days in jail with an underlying sentence of 10 years in prison.

Marissa sought inpatient treatment for substance abuse disorder. She’s maintained her sobriety for three years and has been an active mom to her kids.

“Every time I ever get a craving or think about using again, I picture my little one on a ventilator,” she said. “The desire goes away.”

In order to recover, Marissa said she had to face the reason why she turned to drugs in the first place.

“I had past childhood unresolved traumas that I was coping with by numbing myself,” she said. “Using drugs helped me be numb, so I didn’t have to deal with those things and could just stay numb. I became physically addicted and that made it really difficult to stop.”

Marissa’s next goal is to earn her GED.

“I want to show my kids that education is valuable,” she said.

After a recommendation from North Idaho College’s Adult Education Center, Christmas for All purchased a laptop for Marissa to use for her classes. Before receiving that gift, Marissa was doing all her studying and schoolwork on her phone.

“The biggest achievement for me is that I can be a mom to my kids, that I get to have them and that they are all safe and healthy now,” she said.

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. Christmas for All is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

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 2023 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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