Lions seek help to make Christmas merry

The bikes, once gently loved, were made shiny and new.

Sleds were polished, bent runners straightened, all made ready to hit the hills as soon as snow made its arrival.

In the early days of their Toys For Tots drive, Sandpoint Lions toiled long and hard, transforming gently loved toys, sleds, bikes and more into just-like-new treasures.

Carefully, and with great love, Lions members and their merry crew of helpers scraped off chipped paint, fixed broken wheels and sewed loose limbs on stuffed soon-to-best friends. The dirt was washed off, bent frames fixed and everything made into something straight from Santa’s workshop. All that was “old,” was made new again — and when Christmas morning dawned, the toys had new homes and a host of local youngsters had a merry Christmas.

Those early days of Toys for Tots in the early 1950s may be long past, but the spirit which sparked the Toys for Tots program lives on. Each year, the community rallies together and donations come from everyone — youngsters who have saved their allowances all year long, coin jars from every who give in the name of their long-grown grandchildren.

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.

Because of that demand, the Lions opted to raise the goal for the community Christmas drive — something the club has debated for several years. Instead of $50,000 as in years past, the goal for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign is $75,000 — due to the number of people needing help.

"The need is greater this year, and we don't want any child not to get a Christmas present," Sandpoint Lions Club President Janice Rader said.

The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses. 

In addition, the Cedar Hills Church congregation donates knitted hats, gloves, and quilts to add a personal touch to the Christmas gifts, Rader said.

Rader said the club will have a surprise for the parents to let them know they are supported and cared for as much as their children.

Instances of people taking advantage of the program are rare, Rader said. Instead, the opposite is the case, with many people opting not to participate because they are embarrassed that they need help.

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 at Columbia 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