Quick, when is World Kindness Day?

Launched after several humanitarian groups came together on Nov. 13, 1997, Kindness Day celebrates acts both large and small and encourages everyone to make a similar declaration of kindness. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event.

On the group’s website — randomactsofkindness.org — it notes that donating books, food or clothes to your local community is a great way to celebrate. Other ideas include sending a virtual hug, tell someone they dropped a dollar and handing them one you “found” on the ground, and dedicating 24 hours to spreading kindness on social media. (Like posts that promote positivity, write a kind comment, share a quote about kindness or just check out of social media altogether and stop to notice the real world around you.)

However, pledging to commit just one act of kindness is no less worthwhile: hold the door open for a stranger, compliment your neighbor on their collection of garden gnomes, let your partner have control of the TV remote for the evening.

However, making a child’s Christmas merry might be the best act of kindness yet — and one that may be the most local.

And while, Kindness Day 2017 has come and gone, it’s not too late to celebrate by remembering the Sandpoint Lions Club’s Toys for Tots campaign.

Today’s total is $1,750, bringing the total to $14,126.21

Generous contributions were received from: Pat Gooby, $250; A Aaron’s Self-Storage, $250; A-1 Gooby’s Mini Storage, $250; and Richard and Donna Hutter, $1,000.

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.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.