SANDPOINT — Thursday was a special night for 11 children from Transitions in Progress Services as they journeyed to the North Pole, meeting Santa and his elves.

The crew from Creations for Sandpoint hosted the trip, with the purpose of giving the kids a night they are not likely to forget.

"It's about sharing opportunities with children that would never receive an opportunity or a gift like that — something so special that they'll remember forever," said Shery Meekings, executive director of Creations.

Dan Mimmack, who runs a charity that operates as subchapter of the nonprofit Creations, helped organize the event. He said a lot of people are "one paycheck from homelessness" and the holidays is a good time to give back to the community and make sure no child feels left out, even if their families are struggling.

"Those people that can help (do) help," he said. "At this time of the year, it is important for children that are struggling with circumstances to know that they are normal, that they are not different."

Each evening between Nov. 26 and Jan. 2, The Coeur d'Alene Resort holds its annual Holiday Light Show Journey to the North Pole.

During the 40-minute journey, the kids board the Coeur d'Alene Resort cruise ships and check out the resort's spectacular holiday lights as the boats head to the "North Pole," where the The kids get to meet Santa, his elves, reindeer and The Grinch. They also get to see a large, animated Christmas tree.

As they arrive at the "North Pole," Santa calls each child's name individually, which Mimmack said is a confirmation for the kids whose families are struggling that they are no different than any other child.

Creations is a nonprofit funded through donations and its Children's Boutique, which is where the money comes from for all the children's craft programs Creations hosts, as well as other endeavors like taking the TIPS kids and their parents on the trip to the "North Pole." Mimmack said when The Coeur d'Alene Resort learned about their effort to take the kids on the holiday cruise, with the help of Captain Carl Fus, director of operations for Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises, they were given a discount on all the tickets.