'Tots' drive creates smiles

SANDPOINT — “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” Mother Teresa

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” Tom Wilson

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia

“You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.” Brad Garrett

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison

“The catchphrase for the day is ‘Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.’” Harvey Ball

"A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." William Arthur Ward

"A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles." William Hazlitt

"The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions — the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile, a kind look or heartfelt compliment." Samuel Taylor Coleridge

If you do a quick search on the Internet to phrases that include the word, “smile,” you’ll find endless websites filled with quotes about smiles, their power and their meaning.

But the true power of a smile — its joy, its magic and its light — can be found no further than at the other end of the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program.

Each year, the community rallies together with the Lions to ensure more than 1,000 local youngsters have a chance to open that gift ­— THE gift, the one that is exactly what they wanted, that could only have come from Santa — and unleash a blinding smile of pure joy.

THAT is what the Sandpoint Lions work so hard to accomplish, THAT is what the community digs deep to accomplish. Please consider donating to Toys for Tots and help unleash those smiles.

While no donations were received today, the Lions Christmas campaign will continue until the end of the year. The current total is $56,298.52.

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.

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.