Sgt. Sam Abrahamson had a good gift idea for sisters.

"We can go up and hit the big chocolate stuff," he suggested as he strolled the Walmart aisles with 16-year-old Jordan Aguirre.

Aguirre plucked up a hefty box of chocolates and glanced at the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Police officer, who nodded with a grin.

Into the cart it went, along with clothes, cookies and other goodies Aguirre would gift his family for Christmas, thanks to donations covering the bill.

"It's a good chance for my family to get stuff," the St. Maries teenager said. "They told me mainly what they want, but they'll still be surprised when I get it. I know they don't always get what they want."

It's the same attitude every year, Abrahamson said, with the youth he takes Christmas shopping.

"A lot of these kids, they don't think about themselves, but about their families," he said. "I've not once for six years seen kids being selfish."

Dozens of children and teenagers walked the aisles of the Post Falls Walmarts with law enforcement officials on Sunday, but no one was in trouble.

They were participating in the Holidays and Heroes program, where officials from law enforcement agencies across Kootenai County shop with children for Christmas gifts for their families who might not otherwise be able to afford a bounty under the tree.

Local police and fire departments, as well as the Kootenai County Sheriffs Department, had participated in raising dollars that were split up and provided for the children to shop with, said Sgt. Tom Knight with the Sheriff's Department.

Law enforcement officials shopped with the kids to help stay on budget and supply ideas.

"I try to impart that it's about giving," Knight said, adding that the Sheriff's Department selected its children by approaching local schools about students who in need.

When the kids aren't looking, he added, gifts are picked up for them, too.

"Hopefully the kids won't know that happened, so on Christmas day they're surprised when they get their own Christmas gifts," Knight said.

Dep. Jason Shaw held up sweaters for 10-year-old Claire Neelon to pick for her mother.

Shaw's wife Cheryl Colligan and daughter Avery Colligan, along to help out, commented on the selections as Shaw crossed the item off the list.

"They give me a hard time because every year I go over," he said of their budget. "I'm shopping challenged."

The best part about shopping with the kids, Shaw noted, is that they can point to items they want that aren't on the list.

"If you're going to play Santa, you've got to get something that you want," Shaw prompted to Neelon, who shrugged and nodded shyly.

Dep. Erik Hedlund with the Sheriff's Department admitted he wasn't a savvy shopper, which is why he brought his wife Sarah to help shop with 12-year-old Theo Burch.

The Rathdrum boy expected his brother to be excited about the BB gun Burch bought him, and Erik was pleased they came in under budget and could pile on some extra items.

"I enjoy it. It's a different experience than seeing bad guys," the deputy said as they roamed the toy aisle.

"To see the positive side of society," Sarah added.

Sandy Osburn, animal control officer with Kootenai County, snuck away for a moment to pick up some purple toe socks for the 9-year-old she was shopping with.

"It's a little difficult," she admitted as she searched for the specialty sock.

But worth it, she added. The event is a chance to show kids, and everyone else, that cops aren't so scary, she said.

"They enjoy doing something special," she said of the children.

The best part came after the shopping, when the kids and law enforcement officials stopped by the Greyhound Park and Event Center. There, kids could munch on treats, pick up donated food boxes for their families and meet Santa while volunteers wrapped their gifts.

Hailey Bailey eagerly pointed out to volunteer Joanie Huska the boxes for her mother and brother.

"It was exciting, thrilling. A lot of money was used," the 10-year-old said of her shopping excursion with Spirit Lake volunteer firefighter Lindsey Robinson. "I got my brother a really big toy."

Children are always so excited to show off the presents they picked, said Huska, with the Post Falls Police Department, who was volunteering with her daughter Asia.

"We all enjoy it as much as the families," Joanie said.

Nearly 100 families were helped this year, said Scot Haug, police chief with the Post Falls Police Department.

"Considering the economy and the way people are struggling right now, we were really pleased with the donations we got," he said, emphasizing the program is solely funded by donations. "We were able to help a lot this year."