SANDPOINT — Never doubt that one person can make a difference.

Just look at the example of Dane Best upon learning that throwing snowballs in Severence, Colo., was officially on the naughty list. The 9-year-old didn’t think it was right that he couldn’t legally pitch a frozen sphere at his younger brother in a classic, good old-fashioned snowball fight. (No word on what his brother felt about his sibling’s plan to fight for the legal right to wing a snowball — or more — at him.)

The ban is technically part of a larger ordinance that was set in place 98 years ago, according to an Associated Press story. The ordinance states that it is illegal to throw stones or missiles at any trees, people, property, or buildings – and according to Kyle Rietkerk, assistant to the Severance town administrator, snowballs fall under the “missile” category.

“All of the kids always get blown away that it’s illegal to have snowball fights in Severance,” said Rietkerk, according to the Associated Press. “So, what ends up happening is (town leaders) always encourage the kids with, ‘You have the power, you can change the law.’ No one has.”

Young Dane was stunned — and became determined to set things right. While Severance youngsters have thrown their snowballs in secret — after discovering the ban in early November, young Dane decided enough was enough. First he gathered signatures from his classmates and encouraged them to write letters to the city council. Then earlier this week, he made a presentation at the town board meeting asking for the law to be changed.

Needless to say, the board members unanimously agreed to lift the ban on snowballs, the AP story reports.

After Dane was given the honor of throwing the first legal snowball in a century, he told the Associated Press that he now plans on changing other outdated city laws before going on to become U.S. president.

Just like young Dane, you, too, can make a difference by making a donation to the Sandpoint Lions’ annual Toys for Tots campaign, which raises money to make Christmas merry for local youngsters.

Today’s generous donations of $1,180, bringing the total to $9,880.89, were received from: anonymous, $5; Pat and Eloise Rademacher, $100; Doreen Dugan, $25; William and Lola Bennett, $50; Delbert Bader, $100; Gary and Velma Wescott, $100; Susan Porter, in honor of John Porter, $250; anonymous, $100; Jay and Linda Jones, merry Christmas, $200; Steven and June Temple, $100; Duane and Shannon Abromeit, in memory of Betty Abromeit, $100; and the Moslander family, in memory of Jude and Tate Thompson, $50.

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.