Local firefighters and Santa are teaming up and coming through area neighborhoods to help causes that spread holiday cheer.

Kootenai County Fire and Rescue will hold its annual Candy Cane Run on Friday in Dalton Gardens from 6 to 9 p.m. and in Post Falls on Saturday from 4 to 9 p.m.

Listen for the sirens and look for the fire engine lights.

"We travel the streets handing out candy canes, spreading some Christmas cheer and will gladly accept food, cash or toys," said Warren Merritt, KCFR chief.

Food collected in Dalton Gardens goes to the Community Action Partnership food bank in Coeur d'Alene. Food collected in Post Falls goes to the Post Falls Food Bank. Cash goes to The Press Christmas for All and toys are given to Toys for Tots.

The fire apparatus will be staffed with KCFR employees who will volunteer their time.

"The reception continues to be very warm from the community," Merritt said.

For more information, call 777-8500 or visit www.kootenaifire.com.

Coeur d'Alene firefighters and St. Nick will hit the streets to collect food for Community Action Partnership from Dec. 19 to 23.

Each night, crews will be on the streets from about 5 to 9 p.m. Log into www.cdafire.org to find the Santa Tracker app. The department has already collected more than 600 pounds of food.

The schedule includes:

* Dec. 19 - west of Seventh and south of Appleway

* Dec. 20 - east of Seventh and south of Appleway

* Dec. 21 - east of Highway 95 and north of Appleway

* Dec. 22 - west of Highway 95, north of Appleway and south of Dalton

* Dec. 23 - west of Highway 95, north of Dalton and south of Prairie.

In Hauser, firefighters and Santa will accept food donations for the Post Falls Food Bank on Dec. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m.

The schedule includes: 5:15 p.m., Westside Resort; 5:30 p.m., Waterford Estates; 5:45 p.m., Rice Road/Love Court; 6 p.m., Nine Bark Road; 6:20 p.m., Cloverleaf/Kathleen; 6:35 p.m., Southview Terrace; 7:15 p.m., Hollister Hills; and 7:45 p.m., Embers on the Lake.