NHS students teach holiday lesson

What a neat group of kids.

Teens get a bad rap as being selfish, thoughtless and only concerned about the latest trends, fashions and games. While that may be true for a tiny segment of the population or true for five minutes of a day in a given week, you only have to look at Sandpoint High School's National Honor Society to know how far from the truth it is for most kids.

These kids took time out of their busy days, filled with studying, work, and a scheduled packed tighter than the mall the week before Christmas to think of others.

By last count, there are several hundred families — an estimated 3,000 people — who won't have a merry Christmas unless they get some help. Can you imagine waking up Christmas Day knowing there aren't any presents under the tree and trying to explain to your child that Santa couldn't make it this year?

These kids knew that — they knew that without their help, there would be a little less magic in the world and the stars wouldn't shine as bright. It's an annual commitment by the National Honor Society to get as many toys as they can to donate to the Lions Club's Toys for Tots campaign.

This year, they contributed more than 600 toys.

Bringing in the most toy was Mike Randle's class with more than 230 toys. Tyler Hayes' class was second with 109 toys and Nachele Search's class was third with 70 toys. In addition, students donated $30 to the program.

Instead of the self-centered prima donnas that they are labeled as, these teens proved just how generous, thoughtful and caring they truly are.

Instead of having to teach them how to give, they are teaching us instead.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.