Lions help community help itself

What outstanding news!

Congratulations to the Sandpoint Lions Club for giving this community an opportunity to help our less fortunate neighbors.

Even the most glass-half-full Lions Club members and those of us at the Bee really didn’t think that we would surpass this year’s goal of $50,000. We didn’t make it last year, after all.

But tough times brought us together as a community. Where some of the larger donors dropped back a bit this year smaller businesses picked up the pace and made up the difference.

Cub Scout packs, elementary schools and high school honor students all chipped in to help people they don’t even know.

Some of the best stories I heard this year were from people who received help from the Lions who are now helping others through the Lions. That’s what it is all about.

This community, and by that I mean all of Bonner County, should reflect on the differences that come about when we pull together.

To Bill, Nancy, Della, Mike and the rest of the Lions, what a great job. We are glad you are our neighbors.

And to all of you who gave something this year, thank you from the Bee and the Lions. Without you, these little miracles couldn’t happen.

I also speak on behalf of the community as I share my disbelief and sadness over the death of an outstanding young man, Will Johnson.

To Brad and Susan and the beautiful Johnson sisters, this community shares your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you as you struggle through the death of this 15-year-old boy who always had a smile on his face and touched more people than you will ever know.

David Keyes is publisher of the Daily Bee.