Injectors rev up 'Tots' drive
SANDPOINT — Every September, local car club members fill the streets of downtown Sandpoint with hot rods and cool vibes. And every year, Injectors Car Club members take some of the proceeds from their car show and donate it to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign.
The Injectors Car Club is a community non-profit founded first as a club in the ’60s and ’70s by a group of people in high school and just out of high school who had cool cars and enjoyed each other’s presence. Reuniting more than 15 years later, the members came together once again to not only celebrate cars but to do some good for the community and re-founded themselves as a non-profit. Members of the club participate in and assist the community by volunteering at local and regional car shows, including the iconic Lost in the ’50s weekend in mid-May.
All of the proceeds of the car show will go directly to local charities, which in addition to Toys for Tots, have included Bonner Community Hospice, Community Cancer Services, Senior Citizens Center and Bonner Community Food Bank.
This year, the car club gave a very generous $1,000 donation to Toys for Tots.
Today’s generous donations, totaling $1,610, also were given by anonymous, $150; Brian & Laura Bjerke, $100; Delbert Bader, $100; Larue Hiatt, $50; Shirley Mitchell & family in memory of Don Mitchell, past president of the Sandpoint Lions Club, $25; anonymous, $35; Paula McGinty, $50; and David Mundell, $100.
To date, $10,092.38 has been raised. The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years.
The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.
Those who need help this year can apply at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint (west of Memorial Field next to the Bonner County Historical Museum.)
The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Wednesday, Dec. 16 so members can accept applications. Applications also are available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.
If you have any questions about Toys for Tots sign-up, call Nancy Lewis at 263-7796.
Donations for Toys for Tots can be dropped off at the front desk at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.
Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.
Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.
If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys may be made at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St.,; Northland Communications, 1305 Highway 2, Suite 1B; Stacey’s Country Kitchen, 469000 Highway 95, Sagle; Washington Elementary, 420 S. Boyer Ave., Sandpoint; Farmin Stidwell Elementary, 1626 Spruce St., Sandpoint; Sagle Elementary, 550 Sagle Road; Southside Elementary, 1 Southside School Road, Cocolalla; Valley Vista Care, 220 N. Division Ave., Sandpoint; Sagle Fire Department, 2689 Gun Club Road, Sagle; Sandpoint Fire Department, 1123 Lake St., Sandpoint; Walmart, 476999 Highway 95, Ponderay; North 40, 477181 Highway 95, Ponderay; Washington Trust, 515 Pine St.; Banner Bank, 605 Fifth Ave.; and at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.