SANDPOINT — First, we’ve got some pretty amazing kids — and more on them in a minute.

But first some big news — because of all the many donations, both large and small, the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign has surpassed its $50,000 goal!

Some donations came from coin jars — proving that spare change can add up in big ways. Others came from folks in the community reaching deep to help others have a magical Christmas. 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.

It is of no surprise to anyone who has lived in the community 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.

And now back to our amazing kids — just before Christmas break, Sandpoint High School students (who had again adopted Toys for Tots as their official charity in the Battle for the Paddle competition) contacted Sandpoint Lion Judy Dabrowski. They wanted her to know they had a “substantial” donation that would put the drive over its goal but couldn’t publicly reveal just how much because they don’t want to tip off

With $ 48,775.69 in the pot, that means today’s donations add up to at least $1,224.31 — how much more, well, that’s a secret … at least until the Battle for the Paddle … and a total raised of at least $50,000.

Serving as incentive to raise as much money as they could were a series of challenges from ASB officer taking a pie to the face and math teacher Dalton Hawkins eat live muleworms to business technology teacher Kevin Hutchens eatinggum from underneath a desk and science teacher Heather Morgan being duct taped to the wall for a lunch. Other challenges included English teacher John Search wearing a duck costume for a day, science teacher Mamie Brubaker taking a polar swim, math teacher Lisa Cessna and English teacher Barbara Crumb coloring their hair red, Erica Haynes shaving an eyebrow, social studies teacher Conor Baranski getting a spray tan and donuts to the 2A classes from SHS administration dressed as Santa and his elves.

Additionally, the 2A class with the most money donated will win an ice cream party.

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