Lions thank community for successful 'Tots' drive

This writing is one of the easiest and most appreciative the Sandpoint Lions do all year. Yet it is one of the most difficult because in a caring community some contributing individual or group will be left out. Please know that it is what you did to reach out to those needing a little help at Christmas that is important, not our fumbling with the "thanks."

First, we must thank every individual and organization mentioned in Valle Novak's Daily account in the Bee of fund raising progress which after some nervous moments brought the final total to $67.561, more than $21,000 over the $46,000 goal. The list of donors included major donations from generous civic minded firms such as Alpine Lumber and Coldwater Creek. Also included were over $1500 from Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco and a host of individual and group gifts ranging from a few to many dollars.

The Lions want to commend the innovative ideas that were exercised to raise money and support "Toys For Tots". The Sandpoint High School National Honor Society held a carnival, North Idaho Spas filled a hot tub with new toys, and many special toys were made available through Cindy Madison from Discovery Toys.

The 2006 "Toys For Tots" effort provided toys and gift checks for over 900 children and 460 Christmas food boxes were provided needy families. The bills are paid and the Sandpoint Lions will be taking advantage of after Christmas sales to begin to restock for next year. Some improvements in the Lions' toy storage and display facility are also necessary.

While the Lions want to keep this expression of thanks brief, we do want to mention a few people whose exemplary effort made it all possible. Lion Director John Schelling did a spectacular job in organizing the registration process for the program. Lion Bill Lewis, the Lions "Toys For Tots" 2006 Chairman, put in long hours processing and stocking toys. Sandpoint Lions Alumni Jamie Hedrick came home from a break at Nursing School to help distribute toys. Brian Baugh and Danny Fung, an Exchange Student from Hong Kong, came from Clark Fork to help with the distribution.

The Lions know that "Toy For Tots" success only comes with a lot of support from a most helpful community. A particular Kudo goes to Chief Lockwood and officers of the Sandpoint Police Department. They not only helped with packing food boxes, but delivered boxes to many shut-ins.

Publicity was provided by the Daily Bee, The River Journal, The Sandpoint News Line, and Blue Sky Broadcasting. Our suppliers contributed exceptionally to the effort. Yokes was our primary food contractor. Cyrus O'Leary's pies and Emerald Distributing furnished great pies and lots of milk.

"Toy For Tots" success was only possible because a caring community reached out to offer a hand. Actually many hands were provided and the Sandpoint Lions are grateful for all of them.

ART LONG

Sandpoint Lions Club

spokesman