'A chance to have a great Christmas'
Devin Heilman | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 10 years, 11 months AGO
POST FALLS — Vaylynn Crawford stood in front of the Pointe Parkway Walmart in Post Falls, drinking a cup of hot cocoa. She had a wide grin on her face.
“I want to say thank you for picking me to go shopping,” she said. “I love Christmas.”
Coeur d’Alene Police Officer Johann Schmitz smiled down at the 6-year-old, happy to make a new friend.
About 130 officers, firefighters, deputies and others from 25 service organizations in Kootenai and Spokane counties spent Sunday morning shopping with 100 area kids for the annual “Holidays and Heroes” program.
Each officer was given $250 to spend on each specially chosen child as the kids found gifts for their family members and picked out items they personally needed, like boots or winter clothing. The program, in its 15th year, provides the selected children with the means to have a happier Christmas than they may have otherwise.
“It’s a heartwarming experience,” said Post Falls Police Chief Scot Haug. “It’s an amazing program. What makes it successful is the community donating money, because if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be able to do this.”
Area businesses and individuals donated between $30,000 and $40,000 for the program, Haug said.
“I’m excited I get to go shopping with a cop,” said Nathan Coles, 8, of Rathdrum.
Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr, his wife Emily and daughter Jordan participate in the program each year.
“I think it gives these kids who aren’t going to have a very good Christmas a chance to have a great Christmas. That’s what every kid wants,” Emily said. “Just because their parents have fallen on hard times, for whatever reason, it’s not fair for the kids.”
Jordan, 13, agreed.
“I like coming to it every year because it kind of gets away from all the presents and stuff,” she said. “And it really makes you think about the kids that really don’t have enough money to get what I have.”
Coeur d’Alene Police Sergeant Bill Tilson Jr. has been volunteering for “Holidays and Heroes” since 2002. His guest was Tanith Boatman, 7, of Coeur d’Alene. Tilson said one of his favorite parts of the day was “just her lighting up,” he said. “When you hear the tales of how bad their life is, and then when you see them light up, and they get the things they would never even think of getting.”
After the shopping extravaganza, everyone went to the Greyhound Park and Event Center to have lunch and wrap presents. Volunteers from all through the community helped with the gift wrapping. Organizations like Trinity Lutheran Church and Girl Scout Troop 2035 brought blankets, books, clothing and other goods to donate to the families.
“Without the support of the community, those who are less fortunate don’t have the ability to go and have a Christmas,” said Girl Scout Hope Newman, 14, of Post Falls. “It’s not about me, it’s about them, and making sure they have a good time. Trying to help the kids.”
Post Falls Police Department communications director Charlene Holbrook has been involved with the “Holidays and Heroes” program for 14 years. She said the event went great.
“A lot of families don’t have a good connection with law enforcement, and this is our opportunity to make a positive impact on the kids,” she said. “It’s important that they know we are the good guys.”