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.

“Margaret” suffered a stroke while giving birth, resulting in a traumatic brain injury. She also lives with post traumatic stress disorder, as well as schizoaffective disorder, a mental illness marked by a combination of schizophrenia symptoms and the symptoms of a mood disorder, such as depression.

This year, Margaret’s health worsened significantly. She’s been hospitalized multiple times, surviving sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis. She also lost all her hearing in one ear and lost 80% of her hearing in the other.

“Not being able to hear is difficult because it negatively impacts my ability to communicate with my medical providers, family and friends,” she said.

She’s not usually one to ask for help. But Margaret’s social worker told Christmas for All that she is truly in need.

“(Margaret) has had so many medical issues this year, on top of her TBI and daily mental health struggles,” she said. “But she has been resilient and worked hard to make changes that positively impact her health and life overall.”

After a referral from the Assertive Community Treatment program at Heritage Health, which works with people who are severely impacted by mental illness, Christmas for All purchased a new hearing aid for Margaret.

The specialty hearing aid is fitted to her ear only and was created at St. Joseph’s Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy Clinic in Post Falls.

Margaret could not have afforded the hearing aid on her own. But after a year filled with health struggles and close calls, donations from her community have given her the gift of hearing again.

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 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.