Pierce Auto drive aims to make Christmas merry

SANDPOINT — With roughly two week to go before Christmas, Pierce Auto is determined to help make Christmas merry for the community's youngest crowd.

Each year, the Sagle dealership works to "Cram the Ram" with toys and donations for the Sandpoint Lions' Toys for Tots Christmas campaign.

As an incentive, the folks at Pierce Auto Center offers a great deal on an oil change in exchange for a donation to the Toys for Tots drive. Now five or six years in the making, the effort to “Cram the Ram” is part of Pierce’s determination to help the Lions and help the community’s children.

To help both Toys for Tots and the Bonner Community Food Bank, the dealership offers $10 off an oil change in exchange for two cans of food or one unwrapped toy. The goal is the cram a truck full of donations for the two organizations, Pierce said.

"Honestly, it's pretty fun," Nick Pierce said of the auto center's annual drive.

Popular with both staff and customers, Pierce said it's heartwarming to see people come in with toys and food, all aimed at making the Christmas season brighter for others in the community.

"We do it to help the local community," Pierce said. "We're obviously all members of the community and we want to see everyone have a successful holiday season. And, honestly, we're looking forward to doing it again next year."

The deadline to participate in the promotion is Dec. 20.

That community spirit is what makes the Toys for Tots drive so special. And, while the Lions did not receive any donations today, this year's Toys for Tots campaign stands at $21,255.39 with roughly two weeks to go until Christmas.

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.

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.