SANDPOINT — “The spirit of Christmas is the spirit of love and of generosity and of goodness. It illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world’s busy life and become more interested in people than in things”

The American clergyman’s quote is just one of hundreds, if not thousands on brainyquotes.com that touch on generosity. It reminded me of a recent study which found Idahoans to be among the most generous in the country. Just look at the Sandpoint Lions’ annual Toys for Tots program for all the proof you need.

A recent study found the state’s residents were among the nation’s most generous, based on a slew of categories from volunteer rate and among donation based on adjusted gross income to growh in charitable giving, volunteer hours per capita and number of charities per 10,000 residents.

It’s nice to have the data to back up what we all already knew, but I don’t need a national study to tell me what a quick look at the list of community members who donate each year to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots.

If someone needs a helping hand, neighbors are there without being asked. If someone forgets their wallet, you can bet someone in line will offer assistance. Medical bills to pay? You can bet that a fundraiser is in the works and soon the fairgrounds will be packed with friends, neighbors and community members looking to help out.

And then there is the Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign. Each year, everyone pitches in to help the Lions reach their $50,000 goal; from a little girl giving her allowance to coin jars at local businesses to area leaders and residents digging deep — with donations both large and small — to ensure everyone has a merry Christmas.

And today showcases how amazing this community truly is: an amazing $19, 651 was donated today — including $15,000 from the Windju family alone. Wow! Thank you to all who donated or who are thinking about it. Every donation is important, whether it is your spare change tossed into one of the coin jars around the community, or the very generous donation by the Windjus — ALL make the Christmas season magical for our community’s youngest.

Today’s generous donations of $19,651, bringing the total to $40,074.89, were received from: Inga Wilkinson, $50; Beta Xi Sorority, money plus toys, $26; Idaho Department of Lands, $105; Larry and Joyce Anderson, $200; Lawrence And Joyce Smith, in living memory of Kip Smith, $125; Shirley Mitchell and Family, in loving memory of Don Mitchell, past president of the Lions Club, we miss you, $30;

Jack and Katie Raynor, in memory of their grandson Cam A. Raynor, $40; Bernie Meeker, $25; Rae B. Charlton, $50; George and Barbara Gauzza, $100; John Moe, in memory of Esther Park, $300; Randall and Darcy McDougall, $1,000; Lynda Roberts, $1,000;

Dean Kincaid, in memory of Andrew Tyler Dubnica, $200; Donald M. Butler, $300; Robert and Marian Rust, $150; Del And Norma Pierce, $200; Paradyce Builders, Llc, $500; Marguerite And Thomas Suttmeier, $150; Yvonner And Dan Hull, $100; and the Windju family, $15,000.

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