'Tots' campaign off to slow start
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 4 months AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | December 10, 2019 12:00 AM
SANDPOINT — It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just over two weeks away.
I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping but it doesn’t take that much time to buy gift cards. (Don’t judge me, lol — my family understands my procrastinating ways. Besides, other than for family members who live elsewhere, I hit up the many awesome merchants in the community to buy my gifts. And if I KNOW it is something they will love and is in their size and favorite color, I buy family gifts here, too.)
The tree is still in its box upstairs, waiting to be pulled out, decorated with a lifetime of treasured ornaments. Christmas decorations and garlands are likewise in their boxes, waiting for me to put them up and make the house festive and merry.
The lights around town are cheery and homes are decorated for the season and never fail to make me smile when I drive past. But my brain wants to believe it is still summer, that snow isn’t falling, and that there isn’t still too much to do before the Jolly Old Elf makes his appearance at my home.
It may be that others are feeling the same as donations are running very slow in the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots campaign.
If you have donated, you are amazing and wonderful, and your generosity will help children in our community have a merry Christmas. If you haven’t donated, please consider doing so. Whether it is a dollar or a $100 — every donation is important and all adds up.
The Toys for Tots campaign now has a total of $7,946.13
Generous donations were received from: Wood’s Crushing & Hauling, Inc., $300; Lawrence Smith (In memory of Joyce and Kip Smith), $250; and anonymous, $100. Today’s total is $650.
In addition, the Lions received a fabulous donation of over 50 hand-knitted hats, scarves and other items provided by Frances Reed.
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 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.
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