We attended church on Sunday morning at Walmart. There was no sacrament or communion offered. No sermons or songs. But there was an abundance of joy, hope, the spirit of giving and silent prayers for children whose reality is so far removed from joy and hope and the basic comforts most of us rarely think about.

The Holidays and Heroes program is just one of many incredible offerings at this time of year where the community's generosity shines as bright as the North Star. For several years I've volunteered in some small way and been at times overwhelmed by the depth of the need and uplifted by the smiles of these children who are so excited to be selecting gifts for their families or to receive a quilt, handmade with love.

First responders from the police and fire departments in the area ... the people who will run into burning buildings to save lives and who put their lives on the line to keep us safe when they go to work every day ... all giving a day off the clock to bring a little happiness to the children in their community. The volunteers who wrap the gifts, serve up hot dogs and hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, carry out boxes of food and gaily wrapped gifts; "elves" making possible a couple of hours in a day when these children can be without a care in the world.

Bert and I covertly accompanied two Post Falls Police officers, Det. Mark Goodwin and Officer Lianna Boni, at Walmart. While the youngsters, with their officers, shopped for all of their family members, we were part of the secret shopper contingent. Unbeknownst to the children we had a list of their sizes and favorite things and $50 to spend on each. Not an easy task to stretch the dollars when things like snow boots, socks, pajamas topped lists that also included art supplies, sleds and cuddly stuffed animals. We spent over an hour in the store and when we checked out, both of us were confident that come Christmas morning each of "our" three Holidays and Heroes children would find gifts under the tree that brought smiles to their faces.

"When it seems that we have lost our way ... we find ourselves again on Christmas Day. If you just believe."

The weekend brought two new adventures to experience. On Friday night I accompanied Kootenai County Fire and Rescue personnel on the annual Candy Cane Run through the neighborhoods of Post Falls. When my own children were young it was always a treat to see the big red trucks at Christmas time, firefighters handing out candy canes and with Santa waving. So to ride in the passenger seat of a fire truck, running the siren and wishing people Merry Christmas was great fun. Thanks to Firefighter Taylor Carr for the invitation, Fire Commissioner Joe Doellefeld who was in the Friday night convoy and to all of the firefighters who volunteer their time to keep this goodwill tradition alive in our community.

On Saturday I rang the bell for the Salvation Army for the first time, joining in the spirited Mayor vs. Mayor competition. What a great way to raise money for local families and to get to see so many friends and neighbors, most of whom dropped money in the red kettle. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and said hello and to my fellow bell ringers during the mid-day shifts, Mike and Sholeh Patrick, Steve Griffitts and Joe Morris.

A tip o' Santa's hat to Dorothy Ann Benoit, who last week donated her 100th unit of blood, which equals over 12 gallons. Quite a commitment to making a genuine difference and saving lives. Take a moment during the holidays to give blood at the Inland Northwest Blood Center.

At the 50th birthday soiree for Eve Knudtsen on Saturday night I noticed the biggest difference in our decades. She was rocking killer red rhinestone stilettos while dancing the night away and at age 60, I was sporting sensible shoes.

Two new members of the Main Street Birthday Club who made their arrival on 12/12/12. Boston Wolfinger is the new grandson and first grandchild of Sheriff-Elect Ben Wolfinger and his wife, Mary. Boston's mommy and daddy are Kelly and Brad Wolfinger. Sharing the memorable birthdate Zoe Kay Healey joins her parents Angie and Dustin Healey and sister, Sky and brother, Michael.

Happy Birthday today to Terry Cooper, Carol Prosser, Ray Potter and Rick Monroe. Tomorrow Will Kennedy, Jim Sharp, Dean Swanson, Holly Miller, Lisa Turpin and Rick Blaski celebrate. On Friday Mr. CHS Viking Booster Chris Costa, Angela Wilson, Brad Miles, Lily Ann Carpenter, Debbie Tull, Jann Chatters and Muni Kumar will blow out their birthday candles. Come Dec. 22, if the world is still spinning, Kelly Hughes, Brad Penske, Michelle Neal and Rita Sims Snyder will be in a party mood. On Dec. 23 Jake Pereira, Samantha Peugh, Monica Hillard and Wayne Reichenberg mark the date of their birth. Christmas Eve birthdays for Sarah Wilhelm, Diane Higdom, Beth Edwards, Angie Spleis, Sara Fies and Robbie Schoener. Sharing a Christmas Day birthday with Jesus ... Andy Crateau (50!), Lisa Brown, Ron Raynor and Patricia Batchelder.

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. She was voted Best Local Writer for 2012 by the readers of the North Idaho Business Journal. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri is on the air Mondays and Wednesdays on 1080 ESPN AM (KVNI). She can be reached at mainstreet@cdapress.com