Donations continue to add to 'Tots' total

Would you give up a fortune, even to help other people? That’s precisely what Jonas Salk — the inventor of one of the first polio vaccines — did.

Born on Oct. 28, 1914, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Poland, Salk entered a public school for gifted students and proceeded to read everything he could get his hands on. After graduating, he enrolled in City College of New York — at 15 years old; and then New York University’s medical school with the intention of not becoming a doctor but to become a medical scientist, according to Wikipedia.

In his post-graduate studies and his research career, Salk was involved with finding a vaccine for influenza. However, it was when he was asked in the late 1940s by the director of research at the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis if he would join the foundation’s polio project that history would be made.

Later known as the March of Dimes, the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis director told Salk the foundation would pay for additional space, including equipment and researchers, at his lab at the University of Pittsburgh. While many researchers were using “live” vaccines, Salk decided to go a different route — he would use a “killed” vaccine — where the virus particles are grown in a culture and killed in some manner.

By 1952, Salk’s vaccine was ready to be tested on people. After smaller studies, a million children would become “polio pioneers” and be injected with the vaccine in 1954. On April 12, 1955, the vaccine was declared safe and the announcement was headlining news.

When asked later by broadcast journalist Edward Murrow who owned the patent, Salk’s response was direct. “No one. Could you patent the sun,” notes the Wikipedia article.

In that same vein of selfless dedication to others is the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign as members focus on helping others have a merry, magical Christmas.

Today’s donations add up to $8,931, bringing the total to $56,298.52.

Generous contributions were received from: Roxy’s Annual Silent Auction $1,076, Jim & Rhonda Parsons $100, Dan & Patty McLaughlin $50, Ron & MaryAnn Giddings $100, Ronald W. Forsberg DDS & Laura Forsberg $500, Michael & Susanne Eisenstat $100, Jeanette Schandelmeier $100, Gloria Kreft $25, Jody & Robert Spade $30, Anonymous $100, Jack P. & Mary Jo Ambrosiani TTEE  $5,000, Jay A. & Marcia D. Johnson $100, David A. & Joan C. Milbrath $50, Wood’s Crushing & Hauling Inc. $500, Eagles Ladies Aux Foe 589 $100, Douglas J. Easton $500 and Northern Management Services Inc $500.

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. 

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 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.