Coffee drive boosts 'Tots' total
SANDPOINT — Going to school in Seattle, it was almost guaranteed I would leave liking two things: coffee and football.
I still remember tasting iced coffee for the first time at booth at the HUB — the student union building — on the University of Washington campus. Tasty, but I confessed that I still lattes the best. They laughed and said many people did, but added that cream and sugar could be added to iced coffee as well and made for a refreshing change on a hot day.
Recent statistics show that I’m not alone in my love for coffee. According to a PBS story, more than 500 billion cups are served every year — about 1.4 billion cups of coffee a day, with the U.S. responsible for almost 35 percent of the total.
That love for coffee — and the generosity of Schweitzer Conoco and its annual coffee sales — adds up to a very generous donations to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign. This year, Schweitzer Conoco raised $1,815 from coffee sales and another $425 from donations for a combined $2,240 donation.
Coin jars continue to bring in generous donations from area businesses. Today’s coin jar donations come from Arnie’s Conoco, Burger Express, Samuel’s Conoco and Dairy Depot.
Today’s generous donations, which totaled $5,080.56, were given by:
Arnie’s Conoco coin jar, $131; Burger Express coin jar, $12.74; Samuel’s Conoco coin jar, $37.34; Dairy Depot coin jar, $60.48; Roy & Linda Raynor, $100; Donald & Lori Morris, $100; Water Systems Management, Inc, $1,000;
Terry & Paula DeMers, $25; Patricia Brown, who added the message “bless families,” $25; anonymous, $200; Randall & Darcy McDougall, $1,000; a donation in memory of Don & Norma Zahn from their friends Joe & Jeanette Iverson, $20; Schweitzer Conoco from coffee sales, $1,815; Schweitzer Conoco from donations, $425; and the Forest Service employees at the Sandpoint Ranger Station, $129.
To date, $26,402.56 has been raised for the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program. 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, 509 N. Fifth Ave., 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, 509 N. Fifth Ave., Suite E; 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.