The annual Jr. Lilac Parade hits the streets of Downtown Spokane this Saturday and area middle school marching bands, drill teams and color guards will compete for a spot in next weekend's Armed Forces Torch Light Parade.

The theme for the 61st annual parade is "Swinging into Summer". Groups and bands develop their displays and routines around this theme to compete for the top spots. The parade kicks off at 10am and will start off on Washington just north of Spokane Falls Blvd.

KXLY's Chief Meteorologist Kris Crocker will announce the event. Don't miss the fun celebrating our local children!

In 2008, three-year-old Kyra Wine became the victim of the worst case of child abuse in Benewah County history, her injuries so severe doctor's amputated her feet. Now, five years later, she's an active, happy eight-year-old girl.

The abuse Kyra and her sister Amanda endured is heartbreaking and unimaginable but now they are thriving.

"Every birthday, yeah, every birthday is special," Kyra's grandma, Deanna Wine said.

For her eighth birthday, Kyra didn't ask for anything special.

"I just let them get whatever they want," Kyra said.

Making the gifts on her grandma's kitchen table an even bigger surprise; a birthday is always a big deal when you're a kid, but when you're Kyra, each candle carries more than a wish. They're a symbol of survival, a light of hope.

"When this all happened with Kyra the doctors said that basically she had hours," Deanna said. "If she hadn't been taken to the hospital she had just hours to live."

On June 17, 2008 Benewah County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home for a welfare check on Kyra, then three-years-old, and her six-year-old sister Amanda. They couldn't have found them any sooner.

Gonzaga University has partnered with PODS of Spokane to give new life to unwanted items as students leave campus for the summer. 

ZAGiving encourages students to donated their unwanted apartment and dorm room items rather than throwing them out. PODS has provided containers for the students to drop off their clothing, household good and furniture around campus and the Logan neighborhood. 

Everything in the PODS will be donated to Catholic Charities of Spokane to help low-income and homeless families in the area.

"We make charitable work a priority at PODS and ZAGiving is a great way for college students to help give back," said David Henry, territory manager for PODS of Spokane. "We are honored to be providing our moving and storage services to help collect items for our community members who are less fortunate."

The PODS will be available May 8th-14th, just in time for graduation. Students who want to drop off goods should bag them up and and bring them to ZAGiving drop off spots marked with banners around campus.