[Vision2020] Coeur d'Alene Police Dept. drops off $20, 000 worth of toys at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital

[Moscow Cares]

Courtesy of KXLY (Spokane-Coeur d’Alene) at:

https://www.kxly.com/news/coeur-d-alene-police-dept-drops-off-20-000-worth-of-toys-at-sacred-heart-children-s-hospital/941835659

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Coeur d'Alene Police Dept. drops off $20,000 worth of toys at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital

SPOKANE, Wash. - Absolutely blown away by the generosity of North Idahoans was how several Coeur d'Alene Police Officers described their three weekends of gift gathering.

"Our first year we used half a dozen wheelchairs to bring up the boxes, the second year we had a trailer about halfway full, and this year we had the whole trailer and a couple of squad cars filled," said Captain David Hagar.

He says the opportunity to give back to the hospital is a personal one for the force.

"We have had six or seven officers who had their children cared for here at Sacred Heart Children's Hospital," he said, "we estimate that all together they spent 12-15 months here in the hospital."

Unloading 64 boxes of toys and other gifts for all ages, took the full complement of police officers, who walked the boxes up to the hospital's Santa Store, which is a "store" in name only. Patients will get to go around and pick out gifts for not only themselves, but their siblings and parents who are with them during their stay.

"It is so important to continue traditions and to make it feel like Christmas," said Child Life Specialist Krista Robak, "even though something terrible has come into their life, joy is necessary too."

She says the excitement and happiness is overwhelming when the children see all the toys.

The generosity means a lot, not only to patients, but the hospital staff and police officers as well.

"We see a lot of the dark in society and this gives us something that is a bright spot, and we know its going to help out a lot of kids," said Hagar.

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Have a merry Christmas, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.MoscowCares.com
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.”
– Roy L. Smith
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