'Tots' drive captures Christmas joy
Most dread speaking in public.
However, for Joanna Maniti, speaking before her class at the University of Southern California brought about a "lightbulb moment."
As she described her hypothetical nonprofit, Maniti thought, why not?
So, Maniti did just that and launched Cherish Co., according to a story on Good News Network's website.
“I had this reflection of, ‘Why haven’t I actually started this during my time at USC?’” Maniti told the Daily Trojan. “Right after the class, I just sent out a bunch of emails to old contacts of mine in the Philippines, and the first person who responded ended up being our first partnership within Cherish.”
She had visited the Philippines on a high school mission trip in 2016, followed by a second trip in 2018, when she volunteered at a children's ministry.
She wanted, however, to do more. She had long wanted to major in business, planning to use her education as a way to help a nonprofit. Eventually, she thought, she would start her own, one that would help youth.
She had learned, during her work on the mission trips, that there are roughly 1.8 million abandoned or neglected children in the Philippines. Most came from families trapped in poverty and unable to afford even the most basic care for their children, according to the United Nations Children’s Rights and Emergency Relief Organization.
It was while in class, giving the one-minute pitch for a hypothetical nonprofit, that Maniti told the Daily Trojan that she realized that goal was right in front of her.
In September 2020, Maniti founded Cheris Co. as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and by October, she had partnered with All the World Outreach, a Christian ministry. With the ministry's help, Cherish would build an orphanage, housing 34 children and holding classes in the facility's four classrooms.
Like Maniti, the Sandpoint Lions Club is dedicated to the youth and making their world a special and dream-filled place. In the Sandpoint group's case, that kindness and love for others are demonstrated through the Lions' annual Toys for Tots drive.
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 Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses.
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