Coin jars add to 'Tots' total
SANDPOINT — What can a penny buy?
The sky is the limit — when you team up with other folks contributing their pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters. For proof, you don’t have to look any further than the dozen or so coin jars turned in to the Sandpoint Lions Club in the past few days.
Coin jars played a starring role with a fierce competition at Washington Elementary contributing a huge $532.18 donation —in addition to the three boxes ttheir families bought to help fill the Lions’ toy room shelves.
The reason for the huge donation? The school’s 12 classrooms had a contest to see who could fill up Mason jars, which were marked with various lines and accompanying prizes. Reaching the top line meant an extra 15 minutes of recess time if the jar got full before another class.
By the time the jars reached the Lions Club, the other prizes were a mystery because the jars were too full.
While the Sandpoint Lions reached their $50,000 goal, the additional donations will help the Lions Club purchase toys during upcoming sales to ensure there are enough toys to go around next year.
Today’s generous donations which totaled $3,104.12, were given by:
Washington School, along with three boxes of toys, $532.18; Conoco Bypass coin jar, $24.05; Trinity coin jar, $24.90; The Hounds coin jar, $30.19; Hot Dawg House coin jar, $0.51; Eichardt’s coin jar, $6; Pend d’Oreille Winery coin jar, $3.31; Connie’s coin jar, $72.09; Mr. Sub coin jar, $24.92; Papé Machinery coin jar, $16.45; 219 coin jar, $94; Tam O’ Shanter coin jar, $10.55; Farmin Stidwell coin jar, $36.09
The employees of the Bonner County Daily Bee, $227; Consolidated Supply Company, $50; Clarence & Lois Davis, $20; Callum, Nell & Janie Taylor “in memory of our Uncle Tucker Joseph Taylor,” $30; Pat Gooby, who won a football pool, “thanks to all those who lost to contribute to this donation. Money well spent both times,” $320;
Rollie Oatman, $5; Mary & John Campbell, $5; Larry & Brigitte Sanborn, $5; Mark & Leigh Anne Chorzempa, $10; Jeff & Dorothy Johnson, $10; anonymous, $20; Carol & Gary Steinway, $20; Dave & Andre Berliner, $25; Harry Walker family, $25; anonymous, $36.88; STCU on behalf of Stacey Darley who spent 13 hours volunteering & requested her token of appreciation be donated to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots, $25.
To date, $53,127.30 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, according to Lions Club president Dave Bannister.
A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided. 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.