'Tots' drive spreads Christmas joy
SANDPOINT — It was not love at first sight.
In fact, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Payton May met the Belgian Malinois in 2021, he thought the 4-year-old dog "was nuts."
It wasn't long, however, before fledgling K-9 handler and Yyacob, an experienced military dog trained in explosives detection and patrol, were best friends. Yyacob helped him cope when he was deployed to Iraq and the loneliness of being away from family and loved ones in a new environment, according to a CNN story.
“They see the best of you and the worst of you,” May told the CNN reporter. “They’re there with you when you go to sleep, they’re there for you when you wake up … they give you a sense of purpose.”
Yyacob, a veteran of seven years, and May met at an advanced program for police patrol and explosive detection for dogs and their handlers, according to the Good News Network. The program, which teaches the teams how to work together, sparked a bond after that initial hesitancy, according to the GNN story.
The pair would go on to serve together for nine months in Iraq after meeting for the first time in San Antonio, Texas. That time oversees deepened their bond, with the now-best buds together 24/7, sharing a room, working and eating together, even sleeping together in a twin bed. Yyacob, May told the GNN reporter, was a "big baby" who hogged the bed but loved to snuggle with him.
However, when May was reassigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, the pair were separated, leaving them both heartbroken. More than two years went by, the CNN reporter relayed, and both May and Yyacob were both struggling. May missed his buddy and Yyacob had developed separation anxiety and couldn't be paired with another handler.
May heard about Yyacob's situation and petitioned the Army to retire the dog. When he heard the Belgian Malinois' retirement date was nearing, he reached out to American Humane, which facilitates adoptions between former handlers and military dogs about to retire.
Soon, Yyacob was headed to San Antonio. When he reached May, he knew exactly who May was — and made it clear, he was thrilled to be back with his best bud … just in time for Thanksgiving.
The power of love and friendship is clear, as can be seen by the joy exhibited by both May and Yyacob at their reunion.
Like American Humane, which helped facilitate that reunion, the Sandpoint Lions also want to spread joy and love through the club's annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Helping the Lions achieve that goal were generous donations received from the Hull family — Dan, Diane, Joan and Danielle — in memory of Yvonne and Tevis Hull, $500; Robert A. Gordon (Charles Schwab account), $200; Roy Dean & Linda Raynor, $100; Kochava, $1,000; North 40, $500; Tiffany Rose, $100; and Stefanie Tully, $100.
These generous donations bring the total amount raised by the campaign to $16,159.80.
Each year, the Sandpoint Lions team up with local businesses and the community through its Toys for Tots program to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.
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.
The Lions started taking applications earlier this month, and Rader said demand for the program is already well above last year's total, with a sharp increase in the past two years compared to past years. In the past two years, the club has received hundreds of new applications in the first week they were accepted — 100 additional in the first week applications were accepted in 2023 and 150 this year.
Because of the greater need in recent years, the Lions raised the goal for the community Christmas drive to $75,000 — to better reflect 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. 17. 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. Those interested can also drop off donations at area banks and Mr. Sub, 602 N. Fifth Ave. in Sandpoint.
Community members can also help out by volunteering to help the Lions Club or, even better, Rader said, join the club as a member.
Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864, or dropped into any one of multiple coin jars located around town. Donations should include a note that it is for Toys for Tots and, 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.