There are many reasons to donate to 'Tots'

SANDPOINT — It may only have started in 2012, but in the 10 years of so since it was created, Giving Tuesday has done a lot of good.

Started by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation, the movement was created as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season, according to Wikipedia. In writing about the day, one of the event’s founding partners, Mashable, wrote a story detailing 10 ways its readers could help make a difference.

The ways ranged from sharing news about the day on social media to buying gifts to help those in need. While many of the suggestions focus on national and international ideas and charities, imagine what could happen if we use the same idea on the local level to boost Toys for Tots.

So with a nod to David Letterman’s famous Top 10 lists — and in recognition of Giving Tuesday, held this week, here are 10 ways that our community can help Toys for Tots.

• Dig through your purse, change drawer, or couch seat and put the change in a Toys for Tots change jar.
• Round up your grocery shopping to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to Toys for Tots.
• Instead of buying a candy bar or bag of chips from the office candy machine, give that money for Toys for Tots.
• Hold an office basket exchange and raffle them off; then donate the money to Toys for Tots.
• Skip buying a coffee for a day and donate the money to Tots for Tots.
• When you’re out Christmas and holiday shopping, buy an extra gift for Toys for Tots (or take the equivalent and donate it to the Lions).
• Donate $5 (or an amount of your choosing) and challenge your friends on Facebook to match your donation.
• Challenge your friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others to donate to Toys for Tots.
• If you think "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie, donate $10. If you think it isn't a Christmas movie, donate $10.
• Email your friends and share your plans to donate; encourage them to do the same.

Today’s generous donations, totaling $200, were received from Nancy and Tom Rank, $100; and Paula Devers, $100. To date, $1,200 has been raised.

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 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. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2018 Toys for Tots program. Members are at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Street in Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, until Monday, Dec. 17 Applications are also available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office, 207 Larkspur St., Ponderay.

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 main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.

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