When Annie Parker with St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho Angel Arms reflects on how Press Christmas for All has touched the lives of her residents, one story comes to mind.

A mother of three daughters, this resident is also battling a chronic illness, Parker said. After receiving car repairs through Charity Reimagined, she was able to drive herself to Seattle for medical treatment — allowing her to continue to be present for her daughters.

More recently, Parker called on Press Christmas for All once again for the resident, this time for assistance with food cards after her SNAP benefits were blocked.

“They did not hesitate to step in and assist,” Parker said. “This client often tells me that their ‘blessings’ changed everything. Stories like hers make this partnership so meaningful.”

St. Vincent’s operates over 300 units of affordable housing in the region, in addition to the area’s only men’s emergency shelter, a women and children’s emergency shelter and the winter warming center. It provides hot, homecooked meals five nights a week at Father Bill’s Kitchen, a shower and laundry facility and a mailing address for the local homeless population.

“Our work is about more than housing,” Parker said. “It’s about hope and human connection.”

St. Vincent’s Angel Arms housing program became a referring partner for Press Christmas for All several years ago through its existing relationship with Charity Reimagined.

“The partnership was a natural fit,” Parker said. “We see the need firsthand, and Press Christmas for All provides a compassionate, local way to meet it.”

Through Press Christmas for All, St. Vincent’s has been able to identify and address the needs of its clients, which have ranged from urgent car repairs to electric wheelchairs or dental care assistance.

The program has been a “true lifeline,” Parker said.

“It allows us to say ‘yes’ in situations where we’d otherwise have to say, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t help with that,’" she added. “Having this partnership means our team can support clients with dignity and empathy, without unnecessary red tape. It has absolutely improved our work.” 

• • •

This is one in a series of stories about Press Christmas for All referring partners who work with underserved populations every day. They build relationships and target needs so every Christmas for All dollar donated elevates community members with compassion and dignity.