'Tots' bring lots of Christmas joy
SANDPOINT — There are brown-eyed snowpeople. And some with blue eyes. There are even some with green eyes.
There are families of snowpeople. There are single snowpeople.
All scattered around the small town of Burlington, Wyo.
And there are definitely more snowpeople than actual people in the small Wyoming town.
This summer, according to a story on the Good News Network website, town resident Pauline Parker wanted to share her love of snowmen — and the happiness they bring – with her friends and neighbors.
“I think snowmen bring joy to you,” Parker told a KTVQ reporter in a story by the Billings, Mont., TV station. “My last count was 316; you can find brown-eyed snowman, or blue or green.”
Soon, every household had a snowperson for each family member, each customized to the family who lived at the home. In total, Parker made snowpeoople for each of the town's 314 residents.
Word spread to neighboring towns as residents there wanted to know if they could have snowpeople, too.
As a result, KTVQ said the town of Otto has snowpeople surrounding the baseball field. And the town of Emblem, population 10, received a snowperson for each one, complete with a town sign in the back — just like the picture of them gathered in front of the sign that the town's residents had sent Parker.
Her fellow residents in Burlington said Parker's mission to spread joy has made the town more close-knit and special. It wasn't long before the town's students got involved, helping Parker paint decorations for the town's holiday celebration, KTVQ reported in the story.
The snowmen-themed fun doesn't end there. Throughout the month, Park is holding a community scavenger hunt. If all 20 questions are answered, the person will receive a snowman treat.
Like Pauline Parker, the Sandpoint Lions are on a mission to spread joy, albeit in their case among the community's youngsters.
To date, $32,239 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 last day to submit a Toys for Tots application was Friday, Dec. 15.
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