SANDPOINT — It’s hard not to feel inspired by “A Christmas Carol.”

Ebenezer Scrooge appears on the scene — grumpy, bitter and miserable at life. Focused on only material things and money, he has long forgotten the simple joys of love and family. He has turned his back on what truly is important in life, obsessed with counting every last penny — it is never enough and he becomes more bitter and more miserable as his life winds forward.

The novella by Charles Dickens (who knew its full title is “A Christmas Carol in Prose, Being a Ghost-Story of Christmas?”) brings the reader into Scrooge’s life as he is at a crossroads — continue down the lonely, bitter road he is on or embrace the joy of Christmas, of family, and the future.

It begins with a visit from his former business partner Jacob Marley, who admonishes him about the path he is on and where it leads and warns that the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come are on their way.

With each visit, Scrooge is forced to examine his life, at the choices he’s made. As the last ghost leaves him, Scrooge realizes what has been in front of him all along — that love, generosity and family are what is truly important.

Since he wrote it in 1842, “A Christmas Carol” has never been out of print, according to Wikipedia, and has been translated into multiple languages. It has been adapted numerous times for film, stage, opera and other media.

But what does this have to do with the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive? Lions members have long recognized the true joy of Christmas, of life, giving back to those around them, as did Scrooge following his visits from the ghosts. They know the spirit of the holiday is found in a young child, awakening on Christmas morning with a long-desired present under the tree — one they never expected to get.

Will you help them?

Among those already helping them are Darrell and Elena Brown, whose very generous donation of $100 was mistakenly reported as $10. Thank you both for your kindness and donation — because of you, local youngsters will have a merry Christmas.

Today’s donations add up to $707.95, bringing the total to $24,914.42.

Generous contributions were received from: Washington School coin jar, $19.87; Baxters on Cedar coin jar, $3.82; Second Avenue Pizza coin jar, $20.45; Samuels Conoco coin jar, $126.98; Hoot Owl coin jar, $46.83; Howard & Connie Shay (in memory of Chasity), $50; Bonner County Sportsmen’s Association, $300; Jack & Kate Raynor (in memory of their beloved grandson, Cam A. Raynor), $40; and David Mundell, $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 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.

Toys for Tots 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 and indicate that.

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.