Lions dreaming of a bright 'Tots' Christmas

SANDPOINT — I'm dreaming of a white Christmas …

Nobody sings "White Christmas" better than Bing (Crosby, that is). There's something about how his voice dips and soars around the lyrics that instantly calls to mind snow falling outside, lights twinkling on a tree and Christmas.

I admit it. I’m a Christmas music junkie and have been known to play it in the spring, fall, summer ... and yes, up to and during the holiday season. I pretty much like all Christmas songs — well, most anyway. But that's a story for a different day.

What’s not to like? You have a focus on the positive, giving, and the beauty of the season. You a focus on Christ, and all that he stands for. You have songs that are light-hearted and quirky, that make you laugh. You have serious songs that make you think.

There are songs about white Christmases, blue Christmases and red Santa suits. There are songs about Santa coming to town and Grandmas and reindeer. There are songs about snowmen (Frosty, chief among them, of course), songs about and by chipmunks, and bells ringing merrily.

There are Christmas songs about roasting chestnuts, calls for snow, red-nosed reindeer named Rudolph, and rockin’ around the Christmas tree. There are songs for every taste, by every artist and every genre.

My favorite song is probably “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. And, accoring to the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers, I’m not alone — the song is ranked as the fifth-most played ASCAP Christmas song (as well as the favorite song on many other lists scattered across the Internet).

According to the ASCAP website, its top 25 Christmas songs are:

“The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)”, Nat “King” Cole; “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, The Pretenders; “Winter Wonderland”, Eurythmics; “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town”, Bruce Springsteen; “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby; “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”, Andy Williams;

“Jingle Bell Rock”, Bobby Helms; “Little Drummer Boy”, The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra; “Sleigh Ride”, The Ronettes; “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer”, Gene Autry; “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year”, Andy Williams; “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”, Vanessa Williams; “Silver Bells”, Kenny G;

“Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”, Brenda Lee; “Feliz Navidad”, José Feliciano; “Blue Christmas”, Elvis Presley; “Frosty The Snowman”, The Ronettes; “A Holly Jolly Christmas”, Burl Ives; “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas”, Johnny Mathis; “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”, John Mellencamp;

“Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)”, Elvis Presley; “Carol of the Bells”, John Tesh and the Christmas Symphony Orchestra; “Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Feed the World)”, Band Aid; “(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays”, The Carpenters; and “Santa Baby”, Madonna.

How’s this for an idea: For every song you love in the above list, contribute $1 — or more — to the Sandpoint Lions Toys for Tots program.

Today's generous donations of $1,525 come from: Paula and Ryan McGinty, $50; Carole and Mike Markes, $250; Serve and Barbara Wilson This donation is in memory of our son, “Todd Serve Wilson,” $500; Gary L. Pietsch and Wesley A. Dustman, $100; Bonner County Sportsmen's Foundation, $400; Paula Demers, $100; Brian A. & Laura N. Bjerke, $100; and Paul Satchwell, $25.

So far, the Lions have received $17,684.80 toward its $75,000 goal. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

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.