Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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Donations needed to help 'Tots' shine bright

by CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Staff Writer | November 30, 2024 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Who says turkeys don't fly?

At least they do when it comes to the Alaska Turkey Bomb.

Now in its third year, the annual turkey drop brings Thanksgiving dinner to residents living in the far-flung areas of Alaska. A vast majority of the state — roughly 80%, according to a recent Associated Press article — isn't accessible by road and it can be difficult to make it to a grocery store to get the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. 

A few years ago, Esther Sanderlin-Keim was speaking with new neighbors who'd just moved to the area. Homesteaders, they'd just built their home and times were tough and, during the course of the conversation, they mentioned they'd be splitting a squirrel three ways for their holiday meal.

The comment caused Sanderlin-Keim to recall a time from her childhood when a family friend had dropped turkeys for her family and several others to ensure they had something for Thanksgiving. Why not, she thought, do the same thing?

She'd recently rebuilt a small plane with her father's help and, as long as she didn't land, dropping a turkey to the family was simple. The birds were frozen and there was enough snow on the ground that when the turkey landed, it wouldn't be harmed.

But Sanderlin-Keim decided not to stop there. According to the story, her plans for the turkey drop had spread and social media posts spread the message even further. 

Since that first year, the Alaska Turkey Bomb has continued to grow with more than 30 turkeys delivered this year to people living year-round, and often off-grid, in areas with few to no roads. Sanderlin-Keim delivers between 30 to 40 turkeys each year, flying as far as 100 miles from her base north of Anchorage toward Denali's foothills.

Donations help cover the costs of the turkeys and sometimes a "turkey dropper" will come along for the ride as she flies the plane to residents needing the turkeys. She'd eventually like to set up a non-profit to solicit more donations and reach more people across the sprawling state.

As for the residents, the turkey deliveries mean a great deal. Among the beneficiaries, according to the Associated Press article, are Dave and Christina Luce who live on the Yentna River about 45 miles northwest of Anchorage. The nearest town is a 90-minute snowmobile ride away and now 80, Dave Luce said the time between times has increased, noting "the adventure has sort of gone out of it."

That desire to help neighbors can also be seen in Bonner County through the Sandpoint Lions' annual Toys for Tots campaign. 

Each year, the club, community members, and local businesses work to raise $75,000, a target raised several years ago to better reflect the need and to ensure that all children have the merriest of Christmases.

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.

The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping and with the assistance of generous local businesses. 

In addition, the Cedar Hills Church congregation donates knitted hats, gloves, and quilts to add a personal touch to the Christmas gifts, Rader said.

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.

Community members can also help out by volunteering to help the Lions Club or, even better, Rader said, join the club as a member.

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