'Tots' drive passes halfway mark

Ugly sweaters are a thing during the holidays, attracting everything from parties to work celebrations to dedicated areas in stores.

Family photos — including some in aforementioned ugly sweaters — often fill mailboxes as families send out photos to loved ones near and far.

According to a story on the Good News Network website, a Welsh dog owner had to do both this holiday season. Liam Beach, who lives in Rhondda, Wales, managed to get holiday outfits onto all 17 of his Dachshunds. He then convinced them to sit on his stairs so that he could capture an epic holiday photo to share with fans on Instagram. In all, Beach told the website that it took a full bag of treats and almost an hour to take the photo.

“It took about 45 minutes to get the picture because when the dogs were dressed in their outfits, they thought it was time to go walking and [they] all went crazy running around the house,” Beach told reporters. “So, I had to calm them down before putting them on the stairs.”

Like Beach, the Sandpoint Lions Club wants to spread a little holiday cheer. It is thanks to the community's help that they are able to make it happen through their annual Toys for Tots Christmas drive.

Today’s generous donations, totaling $4,915, come from: Hot Yoga, $430; Family and friends, $500 "In memory of Pat Ramsay;" Peter Bilodeau, $100; Nancy and Dennis Rieger, $200; 

Co-Op Gas & Supply Co., Inc., $1,006 Employees Christmas donation and Co-Op matching donation; Panhandle Forest Products, $100; Sharon Wiseman, $50, "donation in memory of longtime teacher in LPOSD who passed of cancer recently;" David Mundell, $100; 

Arnies Coin Jar, $94; Stephanie Tully, $50; Wood's Crushing and Hauling, Inc., $500; Joseph & Mae Lapham, $50; The Floor Show Inc., $100; Rae B. Charlton, $35; Jay & Marcia Johnson, $100; Idaho Forest Group, and $1,500.

Special thanks to the Sandpoint Winter Riders, Coldwell Bankers, Pierce Automotive,  Taylor and Sons, Dr. Miller Family, Jackman's Rod Shop, North 40, Mountain West Bank and the Sandpoint VFW Hall for the generous toy donations.

To date, $38,759 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.

Demand for the program is 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 for this Christmas 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