'Tots' creates Christmas magic
Dedicated to her students at the Jaguar Academy, Cheri Guy couldn't help but be moved to tears.
The students at the school for at-risk youth had just submitted their wishes as part of the Las Vegas high school's annual "Wishmas" program. Convinced to set up a TikTok account by her students at the Arizona school where she had previously taught, Guy posted a video seeking help, determined to help her students, most of whom had nothing.
Wishmas is something that's been done at Desert Pines, Guy told the 3 News TV reporter, with more than 900 students filling out a wish this year.
In tears, she said in the TikTok video that the first wish was that all the wishes would be granted. Many asked for gifts for others in their lives, unable to afford the book or blanket. One asked for slippers so their feet wouldn't be cold. Another asked for a bag of chips so they wouldn't be hungry, she told the reporter.
With each comment, Guy teared up a little bit more.
"Let me know; maybe spread this around. Maybe we could do something to try to make some of these things happen," she added in the TikTok video. "Because there's no way — even if all the teachers, if we all picked one student, we couldn't cover everything. There's so many students, and they don't want a lot."
Guy's plea for help went global; soon presents began pouring in from around the country. An Amazon list has also gone viral.
As of Thursday, more than 400 of the wishes had been granted, with more coming in daily. She said she knows the kindness and love from strangers around the world are making a difference in her students' lives.
It's that sense of joy and kindness she hopes spreads to any and all such programs, Guy said in a recent TikTok video.
"If you're not helping Wishmas, just find somebody to help," she said. "Spread some kindness; spread some joy. This is the time; the world needs it. Kindness wins."
Like Guy, the Sandpoint Lions are dedicated to spreading joy and love at Christmas time through the club's annual Toys for Tots drive.
Today’s generous donations, totaling $1,800, come from the Richard and Donna Hutter Fund through the Idaho Community Foundation; and anonymous, $300.
To date, $18,225 has been raised. The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $75,000, an increase over past years due to the number of people needing help.
The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
Funds raised during the annual campaign go to purchase new toys for area children — or gift cards for older youth — who live in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Every Christmas, the Lions help roughly 1,000 area children, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in between.
In addition, the Lions give a gift card to a local grocery store so that families can get supplies for their Christmas dinner.
The Lions started taking applications earlier this month, and demand for the program is already well above last year's total, with 100 more applications submitted during the first week than in 2022.
The club is accepting Toys for Tots applications until Dec. 15. Applications are available on the Lions' website, and printed copies are available on the door of the Lions Club, 609 S. Ella Ave.
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 (checks and cashier's checks) at Umpqua 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 mention that in your 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, or online at bit.ly/SandpointLions