'Tots' blankets community in love
SANDPOINT — “A Charlie Brown Christmas” has to be one of my favorite holiday movies.
It’s a simple, classic tale that cuts right to the heart of the true meaning of Christmas. In perhaps one of the most famous scenes of the animated television special, Linus stands on the stage during the gang’s Christmas play and — in response to Charlie Brown’s plea if anyone knew the true meaning of Christmas — responds that he can and recites the annunciation of the shepherds scene from the Gospel of Luke.
Linus, while known as Charlie Brown’s best friends, is perhaps best known for his fond attachment to his blanket. And that’s where the second half of our tale comes in: He also serves as the inspiration for Project Linus — a non-profit that delivers homemade blankets and quilts to children from birth to 18 who are sick, suffering a trauma or otherwise might need them most. There are “blanketeers” — as volunteers are known — in every state of the U.S.
Like Project Linus, the Sandpoint Lions Club members aim to help those who need them the most — especially at Christmas with their annual Toys for Tots drive. More than 1,000 children in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, who otherwise might go without a special Christmas gift, wake up to the news that Santa has made it to their home. In all, more than thousands of gifts or gift certificates make their way to where they belong.
Today’s donations add up to $4,815, bringing the total to $61,113.52.
Generous contributions were received from: Abbey Macumber $25; Esther H. Inselman, Jennifer L. Parks & Christy A. Reid $50; Co-Op Gas & Supply Co., Inc. $500; Employees of Co-Op Gas & Supply Co., Inc. $500; Sting LLC $95; Anonymous Umpqua Bank Ponderay $500; Anonymous $1,000; Kim L & Julie Reister-Keaton $100; Jay J. & Linda S. Jones $200; Anonymous Umpqua Bank Sandpoint $150; The Gang at Water Systems Management Inc. $1,000; Sherry L. Ennis $75; Linda J. Blessing & Bruce E. Hensley $500; Frank J. & Julie S. Jurenka $100; Dana L. Anderson $20.
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.