In less than 10 days, Paul Myers will have his bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Idaho.

By this time next year, he'll have his master's.

"I was accepted into grad school," Myers, 42, said Monday evening. "I don't plan on stopping at my master's degree. I want to get my PhD."

Press Christmas for All first met Myers in 2022. His request was small but significant: To receive assistance to undergo laser tattoo removal so he could pursue his dream of being a teacher without the remnants of his past life holding him back. Treatments then cost $800 each.

"It's not necessarily a handout, it's a hand up," Myers said. "They make you pay some. It's something where they help, but you have to be dedicated as well.”

Myers sat through several painful sessions with the friendly team at Advanced Aesthetics in Coeur d'Alene until the ink from gang-related prison tattoos slowly disappeared from his face, hands and neck.

"That was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my entire life,” Myers said in a Nov. 24, 2022, Press article. “It put my body in shock. I was sweating — my shirt was drenched with ice-cold sweat. I was shivering. But I made it all through the whole session, I’m pretty proud of myself. It was an hour of pure torture."

Myers, of Coeur d'Alene, has overcome challenging circumstances to be where he is today. His story began in a broken home, with young parents surrounded by questionable people, substance abuse and crime. He and his brothers went into foster care, but were eventually split up. Myers was only 9 when he joined a neighborhood gang, leading to prison time and poor choices that continued until he became a dad.

"I quit when my daughter was born and I never turned back," Myers said in the 2022 article.

Myers now has two young children and continues to strive to be the best he can be, personally and professionally.

"I really want to teach elementary school until my kids are out and then become a curriculum coach for a school district somewhere," he said, "travel around and teach teachers how to teach. I'd like to finish at the university level as a professor."

He is student teaching fourth grade at Fernan STEM Academy, which he absolutely loves. The trauma of his past has come with a silver lining as he makes connections with kids who are struggling.

"It's been something that has impacted my ability to relate to those kids, being in the foster system, parents addicted to drugs," he said. "I relate to all kids on some level."

North Idaho College Center for New Directions coordinator Louisa Rogers was a Press Christmas for All referring partner for Myers at the beginning. She has kept in touch with Myers ever since.

"From my perspective, it's so cool to have witnessed his journey the past few years and to have seen the growth," she said Tuesday. "I remember when he graduated from NIC and now he's graduating with his bachelor's degree, and he has these amazing plans to continue and get his master's. I really believe he's going to use the hardship he's endured to make positive change in the lives of kids, which is really cool."

Rogers said research shows all it takes is one adult to care about and invest in a child to change the trajectory of that child's life, "and I think for many children, Paul is going to be that adult."

"He already is as a student teacher," she said. "He'll continue that as a teacher."

Myers said the support he received through Press Christmas for All and Charity Reimagined made it all possible.

"What it means to me is my success," he said. "Without the help, where do I find it? Where do I find that type of help?"

Myers said those who donate to the program are a part of that success. 

"They're a part of the story," he said. "I couldn't afford to pay for tattoo removal; that's a lot of money. The people who donate, I don’t think they realize the impact that they have on the people who want to make a change in the world. They don’t even know, they've helped a total stranger get out of the lifestyle, the prison that locks you down."

Each year, Press readers generously donate to Press Christmas for All. Every penny raised goes to Kootenai County residents. The Hagadone Corp covers all overhead costs.   

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, people experiencing homelessness 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 and make a secure online donation.

• Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d'Alene.

A heartfelt thanks to our recent donors:  

Jean and Ronald Voights, Lisa Wolf, Carol Yost, Memory of Arlene Lund, Cecil and Patricia Booth, Constance Koal, Cathy Bierne, Robert and Jackie Jewett, Mary Lachlan, David and Valerie Hodge, Bob and Betsy Ries, Richard and Michael Belzer, Joette and Kurt Katzer, Graham Crutchfield, Joy Gerlach, T. R. and Lavonne Lloyd, John and Carolyn Hilgers, Sarah McLain, Tom and Nancy Burke, Jim and Marti Stow, Ronald and Paula Adams, Richard and Antje Cripe, William Wood and Kris Olson-Wood, Maidy Kress, Nancy Mertz, Dennis and Cathy Keim, Howie and Jennifer Stalwick

Over $500

Douglas and Margaret Albertson

    Paul Myers is seen on graduation day in spring 2025. He walked for commencement with just a few hours left to complete his teaching certificate. He will have his bachelor's degree in hand in less than 10 days.