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'Tots' creates lots of smiles

by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Staff Writer | December 13, 2022 1:00 AM

“Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” — Roy T. Bennett, "The Light in the Heart"

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” — Henry James

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” — Mother Teresa

“The best portion of a good man's life: his little, nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love.” — William Wordsworth, "Lyrical Ballads"

“You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.” — Brad Garrett

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” — Joseph Addison

“The catch phrase for the day is ‘Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.’” — Harvey Ball

If you do a quick search on the Internet to phrases that include the word, “smile,” you’ll find endless website filled with quotes about smiles, their power and their meaning.

But the true power of a smile — its joy, its magic and its light — can be found no further than at the other end of the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program.

Each year, the community rallies together with the Lions to ensure more than 900 local youngsters have a chance to open that gift ­— THE gift, the one that is exactly what the wanted, that could only have come from Santa — and unleash a blinding smile of pure joy.

THAT is what the Sandpoint Lions work so hard to accomplish, THAT is what the community digs deep to accomplish. Please consider donating to Toys for Tots and help unleash those smiles.

Today's generous donation comes from the amazing folks at A&P's from their annual auction for Toys for Tots. This year, the auction raised an amazing $1,412 and $275 in toys for a total of $1,687.

Each year, the folks at A&P's throw one of the biggest parties around, bringing in the Miah Kohal Band, organizing some pretty sweet auction items and them inviting all of their friends and fans to come join the fun. All they ask is that you donate to Toys for Tots and come ready to have a great time.

The donations from this year's auction bring the amount of donations received to date to $12,826.43.

Each year, the Sandpoint Lions set a $50,000 goal — the same as it has been in past years — to buy Christmas gifts for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between.

The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the Toys for Tots program. Applications are available at Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den.

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; the Ponderay Starbucks, and the Ponderay Mountain West Bank.

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