'Tots' aims to make Christmas merry
SANDPOINT — It's not the first unusual Dave Jordan or his fans have pulled from rivers near the Northampton man's home in England.
That would be a small cache of track explosives that Jordan pulled from the Grand Union Canal earlier this year. (The explosives were turned over to a British Amy bomb disposal squad for a controlled explosion on the objects.)
But that isn't our story.
THIS story tells of another one of Jordan's finds — or more accurately, that of a teenage fan who'd come along for the adventure in late October.
Jordan, a small businessman in the Northampton area, likes to go magnet fishing in the nearby canals and streams. He'd picked up the hobbit, according to an article on Yahoo.com about eight years ago after watching a documentary on mudlarks, scavengers and hobbyists who search the riverbanks, beaches and other sites for lost treasures.
Jordan, the teen, Ryan Davenport, and the youth's dad, Dean Davenport, were out cleaning the River Nene using the fishing magnets.
The trio had been clearing rubbish from the river as part of a litter pick-up that Jordan likes to do now and again, according to BBC.com. When they'd cleared the stretch of river they'd been working on, the trio went over what they'd pulled out of the river with their magnets.
They found a prized medal presented to Northampton Police officer Geoffrey Barron when he retired at 54 after 32 years of service.
The medal had been stolen last year when his home was ransacked. The retired offer never thought he's see his medal congratulating him for his "exemplary police service" again, according to the BBC article.
Because the medal was inscribed with Barron's name, the trio were able to track him down and make plans to return it to the retired officer.
Finding treasures like the medal — and helping get them back to whom they belong — is among his favorite parks of magnet fishing, Jordan told the Northampton Chronicle.
Helping others is also why the Sandpoint Lions work so hard every year in partnership with the community to raise as part of the club's annual Toys for Tots drive.
While off to a slow start, the club has raised a $1,000 en route to its $50,000 goal to ensure every youth in the Lake Pend Oreille School District have a merry Christmas.
The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, 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; and at the Ponderay 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.
The club is accepting Toys for Tots applications until December 17. Applications are available on our website and printed copies are available on the door of the Lions Club, 609 S. Ella
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.
Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118