"Giving Tree" ready to grow

The “Giving Tree” at the Hayden Cinema is decorated, on display and ready for people to pile donations beneath it for foster families throughout Kootenai County.

“This is our sixth year and we have always had great local participation,” theater owner Michael Lehosit said. “A few of the foster families come in and help decorate the theater, then we treat them to a movie.” 

The tree is also decorated with tags for various toys, items or gift ideas. Lobby visitors can grab a tag and return it to the tree with a gift attached. 

Typically the Hayden Cinema receives gifts for several hundred families for the kids in foster care in North Idaho. 

Lehosit puts up a giving tree at the Hayden and Sandpoint cinemas to encourage everyone to bring joy to people through the holiday season.