'Tots' drive filled with love
SANDPOINT — “For it is in giving that we receive.”
Among the many stories told about St. Francis of Assisi is the story of the beggar. As the story is often told, the young Francis was selling cloth and velvet in the market on behalf of his father when a man came up to him begging for money. After his business deal had ended, Francis ran after the beggar and gave him everything in his pockets. He was mocked and ridiculed by his friends and rebuked by his father when he got home.
According to legend, he began to avoid the sports and feasts of his former companions, who then mocked him for his acts of charity and kindness. Instead, he spent much of his time alone, asking God for spiritual enlightenment. By degrees, according to Wikipedia, he took to nursing lepers, the most repulsive victims in the lazar houses near Assisi.
After a pilgrimage to Rome, where he joined the poor in begging in front of the city’s churches, St. Francis would later tell of having a vision of Christ just outside Assisi in front of a small country chapel. The vision, he said, told him to assist the church.
After renouncing his father and his inheritance, St. Francis wandered as a beggar for several months before founding the Franciscan Orders dedicating himself to living the life of Christ, and carrying out his work as Christ would have done.
His boundless love for others serves as an example to many — and maybe serves as an inspiration to help others this Christmas season through the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive.
Today, the Lions have received $1,350 in donations, bringing the total for this year to $21,255.39 — as the club's annual Christmas drive nears the third-way mark of its $75,000 goal.
Today’s generous donations come from A Aaron's Self Storage, $250; Patrick S. Gooby Living Trust, $250; A-1 Goobys Self Storage, $250; Gail Legget, $100; Edward L & Jeanne A. Bock, $100; Douglas & Janice Muller, $100; Nancy Sater “In memory of Brownie and Katie,” $50; and Susan E. Johnson, $250, who included a message, "Juliette, Victoria and Rebecca Johnson, in memory of our loved and adored brother, William."
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.
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.