Hometown help aids 'Tots'
SANDPOINT — There’s no place like home for the holidays, no matter how far away you roam.
By now you’re probably humming or singing the Christmas classic by Perry Como (or any of the versions that have followed by a host of performers throughout the years).
The song talks about how “home” makes the holidays special and notes that no distance is too far to travel to be a part of that celebration. That’s especially true in the greater Sandpoint area — no matter how far residents roam, the community is still “home” and they want to be a part of making Christmas special.
Consider Mike and Francis Tucker, who spend part of the year in Southern California and part of the year in Sandpoint. The couple sent in a $100 donation for the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign along with a letter.
“We hope this helps you and your club continue to help the children there,” wrote the Tuckers in their letter.
And then there is Lisa Greenblott, who recently moved from the Sandpoint area to Phoenix, Ariz.
“I have been following the activities of your organization for some time now and have donation each year for a few years,” she wrote in a letter this week to the Sandpoint Lions.
“Although I am not living in Sandoint any more, this area holds mine and my family’s hearts with so many fond memories. We return as often as we can and will continue to do so,” she wrote. “I could not let this season pass without letting you know how appreciative I am of all you do for the community, not just during the holidays but all year long.”
Enclosed was a donation from Greenblott’s company, DCC, Inc.
Today’s generous donations, which totaled $5,316, were given by:
Barbara Botsch, $150; Daniel and Yvonne Hull, $150; Erin Fogarty in memory of Craig Carash, $100; the employees of Cygnus, $316; Sharon Saunders, $100; anonymous, $300; Gale and Lee Barfus, $100; Patricia Walton Bauer in memory of Edward Bauer, $200; Lisa Greenblott and DCC Inc., $2,500; Lignetics, $500; Inland Forest Management, $500; Robert and Barbara Wynhausen, $100; Guy Hearon and Cheryl Stewart, $200; and Michael and Frances Tucker, $100.
To date, $35,168.56 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.
While donations will continue to be accepted through Christmas, the Sandpoint Lions we will be giving out toys and food boxes on Monday and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. People whose last names begin with A-K should come in on Monday and those whose last names start with L-Z should come in on Tuesday. However, exceptions may be made if parents have to work on their scheduled day or need to ride with someone else.
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.