SANDPOINT — There are few things which instantly bring to mind Christmas and all its magic and wonder.

Stars, Christmas trees, and nativity scenes make the list as do candy canes. According to worldofchristmas.net, the candy cane is among the most popular and visible signs of Christmas. “The candy cane is simple, eye-catching, and what’s more, it’s tasty,” the website notes. “Though candy canes come in many flavors, the most popular and common flavor is peppermint and cinnamon.”

Candy canes are used to decorate just about everything, from entire rooms to cake to Christmas trees.

While tasty AND festive, the red-and-white striped candy also features an interesting story as to on it originated.

It is widely believed that the candy, which earlier was straight as a stick, was given its distinctive J-shape by a German choirmaster, the website said.

“It is said that during service one evening, the children were being very loud and noisy, creating quite a ruckus and not paying any attention to the choirmaster. To keep them quiet and still for the nativity ceremony, he gave them a long, white, sugar candy stick,” it notes. “Since giving chocolates and candies at church was considered sacrilegious, he bent these sticks at one end to make them look like a shepherd’s cane and thus, attached a religious significance to them.”

“In Christianity, Jesus is regarded as the Good Shepherd and so, the staff is considered to be a sacred symbol. The staff also represents the shepherds who came to visit the infant Jesus.”

A simple treat, a beautiful decoration and a symbol of the holiday — just like the Sandpoint Lions are a symbol of the holidays in this part of the woods. Each year, the Lions strive to raise $50,000 to ensure a merry Christmas for the children in the Lake Pend Oreille School District. And, each year, the generous folks of the community respond.

With just a day before Christmas, we are inching ever so close to reaching this magical number and there’s no doubt that we will get there.

Today’s donations add up to $1,516.82, bringing the total to $48,146.56.

Generous contributions were received from: Kootenai Elementary School, $691.82; anonymous (a person receiving toys), $20; E. Marilla Kemmis, $100; Bonner General Hospital medical/dental staff, $500; Linda Blessing & Bruce Hensley, $200; and Pend Oreille Winery coin jar, $5.

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 is also provided.

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 [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.