Toys for Tots spreads Christmas cheer
Did you know that 74 percent of people attend a Christmas party? Or that 88 percent of people put up a Christmas tree?
According to History.com, that’s the case. The website also notes there are more than 350 million Christmas trees growing in the United States at this very moment. The most common Christmas tree varieties include the balsam fir, Douglas fir, Fraser fir, noble fir, Scotch pine, Virginia pine, white pine and Norway spruce as well as the blue spruce.
History.com also notes that the most lights ever put on a Christmas tree totals a whopping 194,672 on a tree in Belgium in 2010 and that the most expensively decorated Christmas tree was valued at more than $11 million on a tree displayed at the Emirates Place in the United Arab Emirates.
There are a number of towns in the U.S. with Christmas-y names, including North Pole, Alaska, Santa Claus, Ga., Santa Claus, Ind., Noel, Mo., Rudolph, Wis., Dasher, Ga., Snowflake, Ariz., and Holly Springs, Mich. Surprisingly, Santa-Point, Idaho-ho-ho, didn’t make the list.
More than 1.76 billion candy canes are produced in the United States each year — and laid, end to end, there would circle the equator 6.7 times, according to the website.
History.com also notes that about 93 percent of people exchange gifts during the holidays.
But what happens if life has thrown you a curveball and you aren’t able to buy presents this Christmas? That’s where this great community and the Sandpoint Lions come in. Since the 1950s, the Sandpoint Lions determined that no child would lose out on the magic of Christmas — and the community’s generosity has made sure that Christmas wish comes true each year.
Today’s donations add up to $5,395.50, bringing the total to $42,166.28.
Generous contributions were received from Harold Zeitz (Ziply) (in memory of Ryan Moore), $277.50; Idaho Club, $1,165; in loving memory of Baby Aaron on his 48th birthday. God bless all the children, $48; Steven Shearer, $100; Andrew and Rhonna Crook Trust, $100; anonymous, $60;
Don and Brenda Bush (in loving memory of all the loved ones who aren't with us this Christmas), $100; Ron and Maryann Giddings, $100; Rufayne Legget, $100; Kate Murphy, $20; Duane and Marilyn Ward (in memory of Dell Brown, past Lion's Club president and member for many years), $100;
Daniel and Yvonne Hull, $100; Joseph and Mae Lapham, $50; Fred and Karla Darnell (In memory of Freddie and Debbie), $200; anonymous, $100; Gabe Gabel, $100; Bonner General Hospital staff, $500; Nancy and Dennis Rieger, $150; Michael Winslow and Linda Derr, $100;
Donald Butler, $400; Cliff Irish Trucking, $300; Suzanne and Thomas Letourneau, $100; David and Candace Tate, $100; Roland and Theresa Richardson, $200; Robert Gooby, $250;
Mr. Sub coin jar, $195; Marty Brow (in loving memory of my son Frank), $100; Jorge and Melissa O'Leary, $100; Temanos Counseling Center, $80; and John Gaddess, $100.
The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys 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.
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