Get well soon, kids

COEUR d’ALENE — As Kim Jorgensen watched a convoy of Coeur d’Alene police officers and Les Schwab employees carry toys into the Kootenai Health lobby Wednesday, she had to smile.

“It warms our hearts to know that the kids that do come here and are hospitalized, we’re able to provide them with a special toy,” said the director of women’s and children’s services.

For the eighth year, the Coeur d’Alene Police Foundation teamed up with Les Schwab to deliver bikes, games, dolls and stuffed animals for children at Kootenai Health over the holidays.

Since its inception, it has brightened the Christmases of thousands of boys and girls.

“Those kiddos deserve to be taken care of, open up a gift, have a good time as much as they can,” said Sgt. Shane Avriett.

Since Thanksgiving, Coeur d’Alene’s finest and tire center experts held toy drives, collected contributions and received toy and financial donations from the community. Les Schwab also donated $10,000 for the Children’s Hospital Toy Drive. 

They will make a similar Santa run to Sacred Heart Medical Center today.

“There’s a lot of kids in our community who require a bit more care,” Avriett said. “We want to be sure they’re taken care of, as well.”

Matt Ratchen, Les Schwab manager in Rathdrum, said response to the program is tremendous.

“Our customers, our people in Kootenai County, are amazing,” he said. “They give joyfully. They get as much reward sometimes giving, and it’s very rewarding to see that.”

Toys are distributed through Andrea’s Closet, a Kootenai Health program. Depending on the situation, a child can select a toy, or it can be delivered to their room.

Some gifts will even go out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Some will be distributed throughout the year.

Jorgensen said, as it is respiratory season, Kootenai Health is caring for children at this time of year.

Since it’s not all that fun to be in the hospital over the holidays, she said toys "help make it feel a little better.”

“We are so grateful that the community and Les Schwab and police come together to do this for the kids that come here,” she said. “It’s amazing to see the number of toys and bikes and everything they bring in.”

Avriett said they are happy to do what they can for the children.

“They can’t be at home waking up and having toys there, so we want to lighten their load a little bit," he said.

    Coeur d'Alene Police Detective Dan Haley carries a bag of toys into Kootenai Health on Wednesday.
  

    Les Schwab employees and Coeur d'Alene police staff pose after delivering toys to Kootenai Health on Wednesday.
  

    Jake Brazle of the Coeur d'Alene Police Department carries a bag of toys into Kootenai Health on Wednesday.