Community ensured a merry Christmas for all

Another year has come and gone, for many it was a difficult year. As a member of the Sandpoint Lions Club, our goal is to make Christmas time less stressful for parents and to bring smiles of joy to children on Christmas Day. This year we were able to provide toys and gift certificates for more than 1000 children; along with our food box the recipients had a great Christmas meal.

Our list of thanks is very long and diverse and space will not allow me to mention everyone, however I would like to highlight a few of our great helpers. First is the Sandpoint High School Honor students and staff, and to all the students who made a donation to make “Moose Madness” such a huge success. Their help in all other areas of our program was greatly appreciated. It was also very special to see past SHS graduates come and help. We also received great toys and monetary donations from the Elementary schools. Many thanks to the employees at Cygnus, Inc for their donation collected at their Christmas Party and to The Ambrosiani Pastore Foundation for their most generous donation. We can’t forget Frances Reed who work all year making great handmade hats, mittens, scarfs for the children, also the wonderful Veterans from the Marine Corps League who worked so hard in the garage dispersing the food boxes. We can’t forget Chief Coons and his officers who helped unload the food.

At the top of those who supported the “Toys for Tots” drive is everyone who made a donation to the drive. Injectors Car Club, and The Hoot Owl for the yummy spaghetti dinner fundraiser, and all the wonderful coffee drinkers who made a donation at Schweitzer Conoco. We must also thank the many Businesses for providing a space for toys to be collected and for the coin banks. A special thank you to A Ada’s Portable Storage for the donation of two storage sheds they were such a big help in handling the overflow of toys, and to Ace Septic for the donation of the port-o-potties.

We must also recognize the role the local media played in getting the news out on our progress and special side stories. Thank you, Marlisa and the Daily Bee and to Blue Sky Broadcasting for all you do for us.

To the many not listed, your contribution was greatly appreciated. Thanks again to this caring community and to all my fellow Lions who help make the Toys for Tots program such a success.

BILL LEWIS

Chairman

Sandpoint Lions Club

Toys for Tots Program