Children In Shelters Get Early Christmas

Fifty children facing a bleak holiday feasted on hamburgers and ripped shiny paper from new toys and warm gloves Thursday as party guests of McDonald’s and the Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls police departments.

The children came from homes fractured by domestic violence. Most live with their mothers in secret shelters in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene.

Al Holm, the chaplain for police officers in both cities, started the party last year after helping to open an emergency shelter in Post Falls.

“I saw all those families with little kids and thought they ought to have a party for Christmas,” he said Friday.

McDonald’s offered food and party space last year for the 25 children in the Post Falls shelter. This year, Holm included Coeur d’Alene’s Women’s Center shelter. The guest list grew to 50 and the party moved to St. Pius X Catholic Church.

Area merchants and their employees donated dozens of gifts. A drama group from Lake City High entertained the kids and even Santa showed. A Post Falls dispatcher took Polaroid pictures of each child with Santa.

“Several moms called to say thanks so much,” said Sue Smith, Post Falls’ crime victim advocate. “They can’t afford to take their kids to McDonald’s or get their pictures with Santa at the mall.”

Both shelters, which usually stay full year round, were empty Friday as women left to spend the holidays with friends and relatives.

, DataTimes