SANDPOINT — Donations, both large and small, added up in a big way once again, pushing the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign over its $50,000 goal!

Some donations came from coin jars — proving that spare change can add up to Christmas dreams coming true. Others came from folks in the community reaching deep to help others have a magical Christmas to ensure peace, love and understanding take center stage.

Some were the result of employee Christmas celebrations, others were from youngsters take a dollar or two from their own allowance to give to others.

Those donations, large, small and every amount in-between — all equally important, all adding up to another successful drive just in the nick of time before Christmas.

What is even more awesome is that donations continue to come in, which will enable the Lions to ensure all children in the area have a merry Christmas next year and their families have a special Christmas dinner. Any extra money also will help the Lions make every dollar count so they can take advantage of toy sales and bargains, ensuring a jump start for the new year.

It is of no surprise to anyone who has lived in Bonner County for any length of time that the drive hit its goal once again. If someone needs something, sure enough someone will make sure they get what they need. Some calls for action come via social media and others through a good old-fashioned telephone tree as friends call their friends, who call their friends, who call ... well, you get the picture. The call for action to help a neighbor in need doesn’t end until the goal is met and no one ever says no. The community, which extends throughout the county, takes care of its own with kindness, love and neighborliness.

From the Lions to everyone, thank you. Thank you for your caring, your generosity, and your willingness to help your friends and neighbors. Thank you for demonstrating, once again, the Christmas spirit. Thank you for making Christmas merry for all the community’s children.

Today, the Lions have received $4,050 in donations, bringing the total received so far this year to $50,732.87. And donations are still coming in — including the upcoming Battle for the Paddle by Sandpoint High School’s amazing student body — with folks adding to the total to ensure the Lions can get a jump start on next year.

Today’s generous donations come from: Dan and Kathy McDonald, $500; Tam O’Shanter (in honor of Leonard and Helen Haugse), $200; Consolidated Supply Co., $500; Jay and Marsha Johnson, $100; Wes Olson Trucking, $200; anonymous, $50; Linda Blessing and Bruce Hensley, $500; and anonymous, $2,000.