Secret Santas still collecting letters

Although it’s just one week until Christmas, there is still time to send a letter in to Rathdrum’s Secret Santa.

The Santas are busy answering the requests they’ve already received – one for warm blankets, and another for Sunday school clothing for a family of foster children – but say they are still hoping to hear from more with needs during this holiday season. “We are asking for people with needs to share them with us so we can help give them a better Christmas,” said one of the Secret Santas.

If you would like to make a request to Rathdrum’s Secret Santa, please write a letter explaining your need, or your request for someone you know who could use some help during the Christmas season, and send it to: Secret Santa, P.O. Box 415, Rathdrum, ID 83858. The request should include contact information, preferably a telephone number. Volunteers will be delivering the gifts on Monday and Tuesday.

Spirit Lake/Blanchard

Santa lists wishes for food bank

Santa Claus and the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District will visit Spirit Lake on Monday and Blanchard on Wednesday. Fire trucks will be decorated with holiday lights and Christmas music will be playing over a loudspeaker, traveling through the Spirit Lake and Blanchard communities to collect food for the Spirit Lake Food Bank.

Items in great need include: peanut butter, jelly, canned fruits, tuna fish, dried beans and hygiene items like shampoo, toilet paper, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The parades begin at 7 p.m. each night.

Donations may also be dropped off at: Jo’s Hole, 6228 W. Maine St.; White Horse Saloon, 6248 W. Maine St.; Old West Hardware, 6210 W. Maine St.; Spirit Lake Books and Coffee, 31911 N. Fifth Ave.; Fourth and Main Pizza, 6185 W. Maine St.; and Spirit Lake Family Dental, 6070 W. Jackson St., in Spirit Lake. In Blanchard, donations may be dropped off at the Blanchard Tavern, 26204 Highway 41; and Stoneridge Resort and Restaurant, 250 Chatwold Road, Building 6.