'Tots' total slowly inching upward
SANDPOINT — Fifty dollars and a hog.
That's what Richard Kincheloe's mother paid for the brick-red, 1954 International pickup. The man drove the truck until it broke down years later.
Fast forward to this past summer when Kincheloe's grandson, Blake, decided to surprise his grandfather and ensure "The Cannonball" — the truck's nickname — could once again be driven, according to the Good News Network website.
The truck, sitting unused and undrivable on Kincheloe's property, was snuck off the site and taken to a garage that specialized in repairs of classic vehicles. At first, Blake Kincheloe thought he would just replace the brakes. Soon, however, a full-fledged restoration was underway.
After months of work, work on the truck was completed and it was time to return the truck to the senior Kincheloe. Family members, who had been tipped off that the truck was on its way home, convinced the man to go outside where they began filming, with an abbreviated video shared by USA Today through its "Human Kind" videos.
"Well, I'll be danged," Richard Kincheloe can be heard saying as the pickup was driven down his driveway, tears forming in his eyes, later telling his grandson, "This is the best thing that has ever happened to me."
Soon, he was driving the pickup down the road with his grandson at his side.
"This was a lot of fun to do," Blake Kincheloe said in a YouTube video shared by the website. "It's been really exciting and there's a lot more to go with it."
Like Blake Kincheloe, the Sandpoint Lions are about creating special memories; albeit in their case, ones connected to the Christmas season through its Toys for Tots campaign.
Today's donations of $1,120.59 bring the total amount of this year's Toys for Tots campaign to $19,905.39.
Generous donations were received from Ann M. Kritzeck, $150; Catherine Detzer, $25; Jack R & Janice S Debaun, $200; Charles A & Tracy A Tigert, $100; anonymous, $50; Kevin Murray, $150; Patricia Clayburn, $100; Sharon's Hallmark , $245.59; and Pamela J. & Jessica M. Lippi, “donation from the Lippi/Tajan family, in memory of Jim Lippi, Jerry & Phyllis Morris, and Tyler Tajan," $100.
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.
Since the Lions started taking applications in early November, and 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.
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.