Community helps Lions fulfill Christmas dreams
Charlie Jeffers has always loved LEGO bricks.
He remembers playing with them since he was 4 or so, and credits the famous toy with his math and engineering skills, according to a story on Good News Network.
As he grew, he wanted others to have the same joy he found in the legendary toy — to experience the focus and creativity, the ability to create anything with the small plastic bricks.
The solution? The Redwood High School founded Pass the Bricks to transform used LEGO into new, original sets for youth in marginalized communities.
"For as long as I can remember, I have always loved building with LEGO," the Redwood High School student said on the group's non-profit. "For me, it's a great combination of art and math, two things I love, and it helps me relax and focus while being productive."
While he loved the bricks, Jeffers said there are several things he doesn't like about them. One, they are plastic and typically end up in landfills; and second, they can be expensive, putting them out of reach of many.
Enter Pass the Bricks.
Founded by Jeffers in 2020, the nonprofit first collects the LEGO bricks, sanitizes and sorts them, creates news sets, and then delivers the sets to kids in need, according to the GNN story.
More than 900 pounds of bricks have been transformed into over 3,000 sets that have been delivered to kids in need.
Like the California teen, the Sandpoint Lions are dedicated to spreading joy and love at Christmas time through the club's annual Toys for Tots drive.
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 almost 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