Armed with good tidings
Photos by BRIAN WALKER/Press Post Falls police Sgt. Brian Harrison gives 4-year-old Isaiah Thompson a sticker as the boy’s mother, Promise, and sister Selah, 1, look on. Police employees delivered food, blankets and $300 gift cards — donations from the community — to families on Wednesday.
With Post Falls police Officer Nathan Shrag, left, and Capt. Jason Mealer, center, leading the way, department employees arrive at a home on Wednesday to deliver food, blankets and gift cards. In the background are: Sgt. Brian Harrison, Administrative Assistant Laura Claffey, Animal Safety Officer Kristi Alexander, Records Specialist Misty Dawson, ECO Jessie McArthur, Senior Officer Jason DeWitt. (BRIAN WALKER/Press)
Chuck Bostwick, left, thanks Post Falls police Capt. Jason Mealer for police delivering food and gift cards to him on Wednesday. The items were donations from the community.
POST FALLS — Post Falls Police deployed in force throughout the city on Wednesday, but this time there was no danger when they pounded on doors.
Department employees instead delivered food, blankets and $300 gift cards — all donations from the community — to families in need to spread Christmas cheer.
"It's nice to know people care," said Promise Thompson, fighting back tears and holding her daughter, Selah, 1, with son Isaiah, 4, by her side.
"We're going through a rough time. I never imagined something like this would happen to me."
Assuring Isaiah the reason for her tears, Promise softly told her son: "These are happy tears."
PFPD's "Christmas Patrol" is making 11 such visits to families this week based on recommendations from Post Falls School District. The donations were made to Sunday's Holidays and Heroes event in which more than 100 children were selected to go Christmas shopping with local law enforcement and firefighting personnel from Kootenai and Spokane counties.
"Our employees on all shifts love to participate on behalf of the community," Capt. Jason Mealer said. "It's the community's support that we are giving to these families who can use the extra help this holiday season."
Mealer said the police convoy always gets curious looks from residents as it drives through neighborhoods. Reactions change when people see employees getting out of the vehicles with food and blankets, some of them decked out for the occasion.
Residents who answer the door are overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving, he said.
"People are shocked to see you and wonder why you're there,” he said. “Then there's tears."
Cameryn Keogh, a single mom of three kids who has two jobs, said her family is celebrating Christmas early this year.
"The timing (for the gifts) is amazing," she said. "This makes us feel like we are part of the community."
Chuck Bostwick, who has two children, called the lift a "very nice surprise."
"When the cops called me I thought, 'Oh no. What did I do wrong?'" he said. "This is what I like about Post Falls."