POST FALLS — This year marks the 27th annual Holidays and Hero event. 

Post Falls Police Lt. Brian Harrison describes the gala as a “madhouse" as about 120 kids pair up with more than 15 first responder agencies to do some Christmas shopping for families on Sunday at Greyhound Park and Event Center.

“The child thinks we’re just shopping for their household, but we’re shopping for them,” Harrison said. “We always bring with us a secret shopper who goes off and secretly shops for the kiddo.”  

Lori Flood, communication operations manager for Post Falls police, was a volunteer for years before she began coordinating efforts for the event.  

“Everything is just so worth it. Seeing the smile on a kid’s face who maybe hadn’t smiled in a while is just wonderful to see,” Flood said. “For me, what’s great is to see all of our local agencies come together and serve our community.”  

On the big day, shopping groups are split between the Walmart stores in Post Falls, and responders are assigned to a child.

“It’s always an eye-opening experience. It could be things like socks, shoes, winter coats, and that could even be for mom and dad,” Harrison said. “It’s never, ‘I want a new Xbox,’ or ‘I want a TV.’ They're asking for toothpaste or bare necessity type of stuff.”      

More gifts await the children as they pick out a quilt, decorate an ornament and choose a stuffed animal before they leave for the day.  

The school district nominates families, Harrison said.  

“Sometimes it’s because there’s been a death in the family, or because of their socio-economic status that they can’t afford to do Christmas,” Harrison said. “Sometimes it’s because mom or dad has been arrested and the kids are in foster care or living with an aunt or an uncle.”   

The event forges a bond between kids and first responders.  

“One of my favorite memories was the kiddo I was taking several years ago — he was a great kid. He had asked me early on in our ride together, Where’s your police dog?” Harrison recalled. “I had told him, ‘I don’t have a police dog, only a couple of officers get a police dog, the rest of us don’t have one.’”  

The boy chose a dog as his stuffed animal and gave it to Harrison when he was dropped off at home.  

“He said, now you can have a police dog,” Harrison said. “That dog rode in my front seat for years.”  

   Interim Chief Jason Mealer, Guyla Walker and Kassi Allen help shop for local kids during the 2024 Holidays and Heroes event in Post Falls.