Everyone's contribution will mean happy holidays for all

Every time I go "home" to the Tri-Cities to visit my family, I am reminded of how lucky I am.

I have a standing invitation and I'm greeted with open arms and boundless love every time I make it down. My mom and I will go shopping and my dad is always there for advice and help for his "little girl." Three of my siblings live in the area — the other two live either on the East Coast or in Japan — so I am lucky enough to get to spend time with them.

Even better, I get to spend time with most of my nieces and nephews — Tanner always gives me the best hugs around, Brian will tell a joke or two and Kyle will do his best to top his cousin, and by the end, we're all rolling around on the ground laughing. Sierra has given me some of the best artwork ever hung on a refrigerator door and Jenna plays a mean game of Barbie.

And, if you ask, I'll tell you that Mai and Ami are the two cutest little girls in all of Japan.

I have a lot to celebrate this holiday season.

I have the best family imaginable, a nice place to live, a cat who greets me when I get home (although the cynic in me wonders if it's just for the food and crunchy treats) and some of the best friends around. I have a job I love, great colleagues and live in a wonderful community.

Not everyone is so lucky. Many don't have a nice home or supportive family. They barely have enough to pay the bills and the holidays only add stress or problems.

The Lions Club and other local groups want to make sure everyone has a Christmas worthy of a Bing Crosby Christmas carol. To do that, they need all of our help.

Each year, more and more people are helped by the Lions Club. Last year, more than 500 families were able to have a better holiday because of this wonderful program. Because of rising costs, the club had to up the goal from $38,000 to $46,000.

Contributions can be dropped off in sealed envelopes at the Daily Bee offices (310 Church St.) or at either of the Panhandle Bank branches (231 N. Third Ave., or 300 Kootenai Cutoff Rd., Ponderay). Mark "Toys for Tots" clearly on the envelope, and make checks out to Toys for Tots as well.

Windermere, along with the assistance of the Bonner County Homeless Task Force and Payless Shoes, have launched a "Giving Tree" program to help children and families referred by the task force. Specific gift tags with requests for specific families or children can be found at the Windermere offices and at Payless Shoes.

Just pick the tag you want, fill the request and drop the gift off at either of the Windermere office.

For more information on the program, call 255-7800.

In the Hope/Clark Fork area, the Hope Community Center is the hope of activity with the annual Christmas Giving Program. Many community groups and residents band together to provide food and gifts for families who can use a helping hand at this time of year. Local churches, social clubs, Hope Elementary students, Clark Fork High School students, Clark Fork Boy Scouts and many, many more participate by donating food, money and time to this great event.

Volunteer sign-up and donations are being received now through Dec. 11 by coming by the center, which is located at the intersection of Highway 200 and Centennial Road in Hope, or calling Barbara at the Community Center at 264-5481.

There are many other wonderful programs — including the Bonner Community Food Center — out there and, if we all work together, everyone can be lucky enough to have wonderful Christmas members to warm them this winter.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.