Santa’s sleigh is a big red fire engine! At least it is during Coeur d’Alene Firefighters Local 710’s annual food drive.

Santa will be collecting non-perishable food and cash donations throughout the city from 4:30-8:30 each evening.

Look for Santa east of U.S. 95 and north of Appleway tonight. On Saturday, Santa will visit neighborhoods west of U.S. 95, north of Appleway, and south of Kathleen Avenue.

On Sunday, the big red engine will be west of U.S. 95, north of Kathleen, and south of Hanley Avenue. On Monday, look for him west of U.S. 95, north of Hanley, and south of Prairie Avenue.

Children can wave hello to Santa and the firefighters and receive a special surprise for their donations.

Food donations can also be dropped at any of the four fire stations in Coeur d’Alene or at headquarters at 300 Foster Ave.

Fire Inspector and Investigator Bobby Gonder will be driving with Capt. Jake Bieker on Saturday. He said whole neighborhoods get together to track Santa online at: http://cdaid.org/files/fire/santa.html

“Santa loves it,” Gonder said. “He loves being in the community and being a community helper. Santa encourages everybody to help the community that you live in. People need help during the holidays, but they also need the help 365 days a year. It doesn’t take a special day to help somebody. That’s what I try to keep in my mind.”