Giving Tree Sandpoint accepting donations

Editor's note: An early version of this article was mistakenly published. The newer copy has been added with updated information.

Sandpoint Giving Tree is looking for more donations this year to support locals including children, low-income adults, elderly individuals and people with disabilities.

Tammy Shivel, the Sandpoint Giving Tree organizer, said this year there is already close to 130 Giving Tree recipients.

Last year, Giving Tree helped 180 clients said Kate Mansur, board president at Creations for Sandpoint. Creations has been working with Giving Tree the past five years, she said, and is connected to Giving Tree’s work through their connection to families and special needs individuals in the community.

There might be more clients, Shivel said, however, she has been unable to enter long-term care facilities to gather requests because of COVID-19 precautions.

This year many people are out of a job, she said. In other cases, recipients are seniors or have disabilities and cannot work.

Many of the requests are for simple items, she said. For children, there are a lot of clothing items. Adults often ask for things like bathroom supplies, hairbrushes, hats, gloves and puzzles.

Even though those items are often simple, she said, they make a big difference to the recipients.

“The faces light up. We’ve done Kinderhaven, and my other half dressed up as Santa,” she said. “It means a lot to them. I was a foster kid all my life, so this is me giving back what I never had. It warms their heart.”

For those who would like to donate, there are several options:

In Sandpoint, Giving Tree tags can be picked up at Super 1, Cafe 95, Mr. Subs or Les Schwab. Donations can also be made on gofundme.com/f/sandpoint-giving-tree to help pay for any tags that are not picked up and other expenses associated with Giving Tree.

Bowling enthusiasts can also donate by bowling on Saturday, Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at 7B Lanes on Division Street in Sandpoint. 50% of lane sales will be donated to Giving Tree, said owner Laurie Buck, and there will also be free bowling available as a service to the community.

The Sandpoint High School dance team, which Buck coaches, will be there supporting Giving Tree through a pajama bowl-o-rama.

“It’s for the community, and we will take donations,” Buck said. “[The team] all got a ticket and they are buying gifts.”

There will also be a silent auction at the bowling alley, with proceeds to benefit Giving Tree, Buck said. Auction items include a Creations gift basket, brunch gift basket, kids basket, barbecue essentials and a Pie Hut gift certificate.

Anyone who knows a child, adult or senior in need of winter items can contact creationsforsandpoint@gmail.com with their name, phone number, age, gender, size and needed winter items. They can also contact Tammy Shivel directly at (208) 627-6446.

Mansur added that the Sandpoint Giving Tree is completely volunteer-run, said she wanted to thank TC Energy for its $1,400 donation to the program.