PRESS CHRISTMAS FOR ALL: Grandmother gains stability through sobriety

All “Naomi” ever wanted to be was a wife and a mother — but decades of substance abuse and violence shattered her family.

Now she’s picking up the pieces and building a better life.

Naomi was estranged from her adult children for years, until her daughter had a baby.

“She wouldn’t let me see her or talk to her,” Naomi said. “I didn’t have any relationship with my children.”

If she wanted to repair those relationships, Naomi knew she had to change. She completed inpatient treatment for substance abuse and moved into a halfway house.

Three years later, she’s still sober and living in a group home in Coeur d’Alene.

Sobriety and stability have allowed Naomi to reconnect with her children and grandchildren. Their relationships are thriving. In fact, she’s preparing to move in with her daughter’s family.

“I’m doing things differently than I’ve ever done before,” she said. “Instead of them not wanting me around, they fight over who I’m going to stay with.”

To help support her daughter, Naomi drives her to work and babysits the grandkids. She takes them to the park, to medical appointments and anywhere else they need to go.

Having that freedom of movement helps Naomi’s entire family. Bad tires sidelined her for a time, until a gift from Christmas for All put her back on the road.

Naomi became emotional when she described the impact of the new tires.

“This program blesses so many people that are struggling,” she said. “That one little gesture of kindness saved my whole life.”

Press Christmas for All takes pride in sharing the stories of those who have been helped and the difference it made in their lives.

Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. 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, the homeless, veterans in need, and people with disabilities and mental illness. 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 and click on Christmas for All 2022 to 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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