SANDPOINT — You may have seen the viral story of a man proposed to his girlfriend at Central Park in New York City — and how the ring falling into a grate during a walk in Times Square.

The couple — now identified as John Dren-nan and Dan-iella An- thony — when the man turned to his now-fiancee while she was taking a photo in Central Park and asked her to marry him. Excited, she immediately put on the ring despite it being slightly too big. During a night out to celebrate, they visited a show and were walking through Times Square when the ring slipped off and fell through one of the city’s ubiquitous grates. Immediately, they tried to find a way to fish it out as strangers offered support and comfort. Drennan and Anthony flagged down a police officer, who helped them look for it for more than an hour, the ring couldn’t be found. Counting it for lost, the couple headed back to England without leaving their names with the N.Y. Police Department.

What the couple, who were visiting New York City from England to celebrate their tenth anniversary together, didn’t know was that the NYPD and other New York City officials would keep looking for the ring, determined to find it. Now in possession of the ring, but without the identities of the newly engaged couple, the NYPD turned to Twitter with a video of the proposal captured by a nearby security camera. It was all they had and they hoped that someone, somewhere would recognize the couple and pass on their names so the ring could make its way back to the couple.

So convinced the ring was lost, according to a New York Times’ story, the couple bought a second ring upon returning home and didn’t plan to tell anyone what had happened. It wasn’t until a friend, who saw the NYPD’s Twitter post, forwarded the tweet with a message asking if it was for real, according to the NYT story.

Drennan called the tips line, and answering a series of questions and confirming his identity, the NYPD tweeted out that the couple had been found and arrangements were being made to reunite it with the couple.

“The couple that lost their engagement ring in Time Square on Friday night (Nov. 30) has been found,” the tweet read. “A special thank you to #NYPD ESU Det. Bucchignano & Glacken for their extra effort, they returned the next morning & were able to recover the ring in a subway grading. Congrats & Best of Luck!”

The NYPD and others involved were determined to give the special occasion its happy ending — just like Bonner County residents and the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign. Each year, the community steps up and raises an amazing $50,000 — all of which goes to buy toys and gift cards for local youngsters in the Lake Pend Oreille School District.

Today’s generous donations of $2,050, bringing the total to $8,700.89, were received from: Brian and Laura Bjerke, $100; Woods Meat Processing, Inc., $250; Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, $500; anonymous, $1,000; Serve and Barbara Wilson, in memory of our son Todd Wilson who died at Schweitzer Mountain in 2000, $100; and the Lippi family, in memory of Jim Lippi, $100.

The goal for this year’s Toys for Tots 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.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the 2018 Toys for Tots program. Members are at the Lions Den, 607 S. Ella Street in Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, until Monday, Dec. 17 Applications are also available at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare office, 207 Larkspur St., Ponderay.

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. You can also drop off donations at Columbia Bank’s main branch in Sandpoint, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way.

Donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

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.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118

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