SANDPOINT — “For it is in giving that we receive.”

Among the many stories told about St. Francis of Assisi is the story of the beggar. As the story is often told, the young Francis was selling cloth and velvet in the market on behalf of his father when a man came up to him begging for money. After his business deal had ended, Francis ran after the beggar and gave him everything in his pockets. He was mocked and ridiculed by his friends and rebuked by his father when he got home.

According to legend, he began to avoid the sports and the feasts of his former companions, who then mocked him for his acts of charity and kindness. Instead, he spent much of his time alone, asking God for spiritual enlightenment. By degrees, according to Wikipedia, he took to nursing lepers, the most repulsive victims in the lazar houses near Assisi.

After a pilgrimage to Rome, where he joined the poor in begging in front of the city’s churches, St. Francis would later tell of having a vision of Christ just outside Assisi in from of a small country chapel. The vision, he said, told him to assist the church.

After renouncing his father and his inheritance, St. Francis wandered as a beggar for several months before founding the Franciscan Orders dedicating himself to living the life of Christ, and carrying out his work as Christ would have done.

His boundless love for others serves as an example to many — and maybe serve as inspiration to help others this Christmas season through the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive.

Today, the Lions have received $592 in donations, bringing the total for this year to $26,460.14. Today’s generous donations come from: Raymond and Gayle Wright (in memory of “My Low”), $100; Robert and Dershi Bussey, $200; anonymous, $150; Joyce Spiller, $100; and anonymous (given in memory of “Baby Aaron” on his 42nd birthday. “God bless all the children.”), $42.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

The Toys for Tots program provides free new toys for children living in the Lake Pend Oreille School District, from Sandpoint to Clark Fork and all points in-between. A Christmas dinner for the family is also provided.

Those who need help this year can apply at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint (west of Memorial Field next to the Bonner County Historical Museum.)

The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 19, so members can accept applications. Applications also are available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office.

If you have any questions about Toys for Tots sign-up, call Judy Dabrowski, 208-290-5314.

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. Donations also can be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, P.O. Box 414, Sandpoint, ID, 83864

You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road.

Donations made by check are preferred. Be sure to include a note with your check indicating that it is a Toys for Tots donation. If you wish to make an anonymous donation, please include a note.

If the donation is being made in someone’s name, be sure to also include a note.

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at:

Sagle — Stacey’s Country Kitchen and Travel America Plaza-Conoco.

Sandpoint — Farmin-Stidwell Elementary, Eagles, Sandpoint Fire Department, Columbia Bank, and Wells Fargo.

Kootenai and Ponderay — Columbia Bank, Bradley Insurance, North 40 Outfitters, and Samuels Store and Blue Heron Cafe.

Hope — Holiday Shores.