PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL Great-grandmother genuinely grateful

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

"Eileen" was putting up Christmas decorations and hanging ornaments on the tree with her 6-year-old great-grandson, "Patrick," when she received a call Thursday from Press Christmas for All.

She's been Patrick's legal guardian since he was 3, as her daughter is unable to care for him due to poor life choices.

"He was just a little guy when I got him," Eileen said.

Patrick has his own room in stable senior housing with his great-grandmother, who is a cancer survivor. She takes him to parks, parades and other relatives' homes to play and ride his bike. She does her best to keep him active. She also has a plan in place for him to live with other family members if anything were to happen to her.

"We do the best we can." Eileen said. "A lot of people have reached out to us, especially last year." 

Eileen can provide for Patrick's needs with the help of community resources, such as the McKinney-Vento program at the Coeur d'Alene School District. The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that provides essential educational rights and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness.

"Our homeless population here is made up of children being raised by relatives as parents; this is a perfect example where we have 75- and 80-year-olds raising their grandchildren and great-grandchildren," said Paula Lyon, a Press Christmas for All referring partner with the school district's McKinney-Vento program.

Eileen connected with Lyon when she asked whether the district could help find a coat that fits Patrick.

"We were talking, I was telling her about me raising him for four years, on my own Social Security," Eileen said. "She was asking what some of our needs were, and I listed a few things for him."

She shared with Lyon that she would need new tires, but couldn't afford them until after Christmas.

"I tell you, it's hard times, and it's getting harder every year, but we have a great God," Eileen said.

Lyon connected Eileen with Charity Reimagined and Press Christmas for All to award new tires from Les Schwab. Eileen said the tires have been a blessing.

"Of course I cried," Eileen said. "Paula was just there, just like an angel, she just stepped out."

She said every time she gets in her car, she says, "Thank you, Lord."

"I'm just very proud and very blessed to have the programs that are going on in our little town," Eileen said. "I never knew there was so much help and so many people reaching out to help."

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:

Deborah McDermott and Warren Middlemist, Gayne and Jo Clifford, Bob and Betty Schwartzkopf, Hank and Betsy Martin, Janet and Joihn Grant, Jr., Thomas and Karen Stoeser, Barbara Gallup, Gary and Sandra Sonnen, Duane and Sharon Fitch, Sandra and Jon O'Brien, Scott and Susan Kindler, Evelyn Huender

Over $500

Mary and Brad Corkill, Norbert and Beverly Twillmann, Dynamic Health, Koerner's Furniture, Wanda and Timothy Quinn, Norma and Allen Baldridge