Community makes fundraiser a success

A simple thank you seems so inadequate to express how blessed and joyous I feel about this community’s continued generosity and support of the Sandpoint Lions Club and its Toys for Tots program.

Our thank yous are very long, diverse and space will not allow me to mention everyone, however, I would like to highlight a few of our great helpers.

The honor society students at Sandpoint High School were again fantastic. We also received great toys and monetary donations from the elementary schools, both private and public; they were quite clever in how to handle the designs of their fundraisers.  Several members of Scout Troop 308 helped box food and worked in the cold to carry food to waiting autos.

At the top of the list is everyone who donated to the drive. Donations ranged from money from a child’s piggy bank to major donors: Ambrosiani Pastore Foundation, Quest Aircraft, Coldwater Creek, Wal-Mart Foundation, Injectors Car Club and all the coffee drinkers who made a donation at Schweitzer Conoco.

Thank you also to the many businesses for providing a space for toys to be collected and for the coin banks.

Special thank you to Ron and Pat Lowrey for donating two storage sheds — they were such a big help in handling the toy overflow.We also must recognize the local media in getting the news out on our progress and special side stories. Thank you Marlisa and the Daily Bee for all you do for us. To the many not listed, your contributions were greatly appreciated. Thanks again to the community and all my fellow Lions who help make Toys for Tots such a success.

BILL LEWIS

Sandpoint