Help 'Tots' make Christmas bright
SANDPOINT — It’s hard not to feel inspired by “A Christmas Carol.”
Ebenezer Scrooge appears on the scene — grumpy, bitter and miserable at life.
Readers are introduced to Scrooge by Dickens in this manner: "The cold within him froze his old features, nipped his pointed nose, shriveled his cheek, stiffened his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly in his grating voice."
Focused on only material things and money, he has long forgotten the simple joys of love and family. He has turned his back on what truly is important in life, obsessed with counting every last penny — it is never enough and he becomes more bitter and more miserable as his life winds forward.
The novella by Charles Dickens (who knew its full title is “A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas?”) brings the reader into Scrooge’s life as he is at a crossroads — continue down the lonely, bitter road he is on or embrace the joy of Christmas, of family, and the future.
Towards the end of the novella, the three spirits show Scrooge the error of his ways, and he becomes a better, more generous man.
It begins with a visit from his former business partner Jacob Marley, who admonishes him about the path he is on and where it leads and warns that the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come are on their way.
With each visit, Scrooge is forced to examine his life, at the choices he’s made. As the last ghost leaves him, Scrooge realizes what has been in front of him all along — that love, generosity and family are what is truly important.
Since he wrote it in 1842, “A Christmas Carol” has never been out of print, according to Wikipedia, and has been translated into multiple languages. It has been adapted numerous times for film, stage, opera and other media with countless actors, from the greats to the cartoons.
But what does this have to do with the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive? Lions members have long recognized the true joy of Christmas, of life, giving back to those around them, as did Scrooge following his visits from the ghosts. They know the spirit of the holiday is found in a young child, awakening on Christmas morning with a long-desired present under the tree — one they never expected to get.
Will you help them?
Today's generous donations total $1,000 and courtesy of the Whitehead family.
To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $9,023. The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.
Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.
As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.
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 Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.
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.
Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118