Donations give 'Tots' needed boost
SANDPOINT — Growing up, Larry Stewart never knew he was poor.
It wasn't until he started school that he realized that classmates had bathrooms, telephones and hot water — things that he didn't.
As a young adult, he found himself struggling, living paycheck to paycheck, when his employer went out of business without paying him his last several paychecks, Stewart found himself homeless, according to a story on the Good News Network website.
Living in his car, he covered himself with his laundry in a bid to stay warm. After several days of going without food, he went to a diner and ordered breakfast. When he finished, Stewart made a show of looking around, searching the floor and pretending he'd lost his wallet. The cook even came out from behind the counter to help search, the GNN story reports.
Then, the search was over.
"You must have dropped this," the cook said, handing Stewart $20.
The act of kindness, made with compassion and without judgment, filled Stewart with gratitude. He was determined that, when he could, he would do the same for someone else.
One day, he stopped by a drive-in restaurant and noticed the server's coat was old and threadbare. When it came time to pay his bill, he handed her far more than what he owed. "Keep the change," the GNN story reports him saying.
Stewart was so inspired by the interaction, he began looking for others in need of help and kindness. The more successful he became, the more he gave away. He found some on his own; others were referred to him by a network of local social workers, firefighters and police officers.
All told, he gave away more than $1.4 million over the years. He only came forward in 2006 when he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and a tabloid was threatening to reveal his identity, according to the website.
Stewart wanted to tell the story his way, hoping to inspire others to become a secret Santa. Before long, thousands of people found their way to his website and signed up to be a secret Santa and the Society of Secret Santas was launched. When he died a year later, his handpicked successor and an army of ELFs (Ever Lasting Friends).
The spirit of Stewart's acts of kindness can be found in the Sandpoint Lions Club, who each year raise money with the help of the community's residents and businesses to ensure every youth in the community has a merry Christmas.
Today's donations add up to an incredible $6,771 and were received from: Lynn G Wise, $500; anonymous, $50; John E. and Barbara F Juneau, $100; anonymous, $100; Riley Resources LLC, $100; Linda Lacy, $50; Gary and Michelle Neeley, $50; David and Paddy Carlson, $100; Bruce J. and Patricia A. Stewart, $40; Shirley A Mitchell and family, “in loving memory of Don Mitchell, Lions Club past president,” $50;
Anonymous Umpqua Bank (Sandpoint), $100; Michael W. and Denise M Wilken, $500; Jeffrey A and Alesia T LeBlanc, $20; Eileen M Bauer “Donation is being made in the name of Erik and Holly Bauer”, $50; Robert H and Carolyn L Inge, $35; Byron D and Kelly J Ruen, $2,500; Eileen Keller, $25; Joseph G and Mae Lapham, $50;
All Seasons Garden and Floral, $1,000; Anonymous, $1,000; Anonymous, $1; Fred and Karla Darnell, $100, “in memory of Jim Berry;” Fred and Karla Darnell, $100, “in loving memory of Freddie and Debbie”; anonymous, $50; and the Knights of Columbus Father Kelly Council No. 2888, $100.
With today's very generous donations, the annual Christmas campaign drive now stands at $45,226.52.
If you haven't donated and would like to do so, please do. Every penny, every dollar adds up and if we all pitch in, we can make this, once again, a successful Toys for Tots campaign.
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.
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.