Here comes Santa Claus

COEUR d'ALENE — Emily Kokinakis and her mom, Sherri Kokinakis, were on a mission Monday night.

"Let's go find Santa," Sherri Kokinakis said.

They found him.

Santa wasn't in his sleigh and didn't have his reindeer, but he was riding high and waving from a decorated 1947 fire truck, music filling the air as he shouted "Merry Christmas."

Last year, mom and daughter missed the Mobile Santa Food Drive by Coeur d'Alene Firefighters Local 710.

Not this time.

They tracked his whereabouts via the Santa Tracker 1000 on the fire department's website.

Emily was excited to see Santa with only six days to Christmas.

"She loved it," her mom said.

Firefighters began driving Santa around neighborhoods on Saturday and will continue heading out each night, 4:30 to 8:30, through Friday.

As has been their tradition for more than two decades, they are collecting food and cash donations for the Community Action Partnership Food Bank. Their goal is more than 5,000 pounds to help families during the holiday season.

"Joyful," said firefighter Gabe Eckert, when asked to describe what it's like.

"We look forward to this all year long," he said. "We love seeing the kids come running out."

Lights, music and siren alerted people to Santa's arrival Monday, and many rushed to greet him and make a contribution.

Two more firefighters acted as Santa's helpers, accepting donations and handing out candy canes.

Kriss Teeters and daughter Crystal were among those waiting for Santa.

"We've been watching for him," Kriss Teeters said.

"I love it," said a delighted Crystal.

Their neighbors just a few houses down, Joe and Anne Sokol, posed for pictures with the fire truck after chatting and making a donation.

And another few homes later, Brett Parsons was outside holding daughter Millie. They placed canned food on the car for pickup as "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" boomed forth.

Brett said, "absolutely" when asked if it boosted his Christmas spirit.

Capt. Jake Bieker spent about 40 hours placing more than 1,000 lights on the fire truck, attaching the reindeer and tree and outfitting it for Santa.

"I love Christmas," he said. "I love the look on the kids' faces when we drive through the neighborhoods."

Besides the delight of children, it benefits the food bank, too.

"A really neat way for us to give back to the community," Bieker said.

He said it's evolved from the early years of a fire truck with no Christmas lights or music to a more colorful, and high-tech display, complete with GPS tracking developed by the city's IT guys so folks can find them.

Tonight, the Mobile Santa Food Drive will be west of U.S. 95, north of Appleway and south of Kathleen Avenue.

Wednesday, it will be West of U.S. 95, north of Kathleen and south of Hanley.

Thursday, West of 95, East of Atlas Road, north of Hanley and south of Prairie.

Friday, West of Atlas, north of Hanley, south of Prairie.

Firefighter Tom Hiltenbrand said it was an amazing time and loves the spirit it generates citywide.

"This can't be replicated, the genuine joy of Christmas," he said.

Firefighter Mike Fredrick was behind the firetruck steering wheel.

"Once you get out here, it's unbelievable," he said. "You see all the kids coming out; that's what it's all about."