SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Lions Dens is a cheerful place this time of year.

All of the shelves are packed full of toys fresh from Santa’s workshop, cheerful chatter fills the air and members are hard at work raising the money needed to ensure all children in the Lake Pend Oreille School District have a merry Christmas and holiday season.

As the time draws nearer to Christmas, the hustle is busier, the volunteers increase as others in the community join in to packed holiday dinner boxes and to ensure everyone has what they need.

Christmas is sneaking up fast, Lions Club members note on their Facebook page, and members encourage those who need help to come in to the Lions Den to fill out an application for new toys and a box of food for Christmas dinner. Or, if you know of someone in need, let them know.

“Everyone has some time in their life when they just need a little help so don’t be shy about letting us get you going through the holidays,” Lions Club members said in a previous post. “That’s what our program and the Lions Club motto is. We serve the community and especially the children.”

If you know of someone who needs help, make sure they sign up so Christmas is a happy holiday for everyone in the community.

Applications are being taken for Toys for Tots by Friday, Dec. 15. Applications are being at the Lions Club den on Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Today’s donations add up to $575, bringing the total to $20,719.97.

Generous contributions were received from: Marjorie Nance (in memory of Dick & Bill Nance, $75; Daryl Ramey (in memory of my lovely wife and mother, Shirley Ramey), $100; Susan Porter (in memory of my husband, John), $250; Geraldine Davis (in memory of Douglas H. Davis (1998), $50; and Pat & Elouise Rademacher, $100

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 History Museum.)

The Lions Den will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 18, 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 [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.