SANDPOINT — There’s no place like home for the holidays, no matter how far away you roam.

By now you’re probably humming or singing the Christmas classic by Perry Como (or any of the versions that have followed by a host of performers throughout the years).

Written by Como’s frequent accompanist Robert Allen and lyricist Al Stillman, the pair were given just one day to come up with a holiday hit by producer Mitch Miller, according to Allen’s widow, Patty K. Allen. She told New Jersey’s Jewish Standard that her husband retreated to Rockefeller Center where, inspired by the ice skaters, wrote the music that afternoon. He then gave it to Stillman, who wrote the lyrics that night.

The song talks about how “home” makes the holidays special and notes that no distance is too far to travel to be a part of that celebration. That’s especially true in the greater Sandpoint area — no matter how far residents roam, the community is still “home” and they want to be a part of making Christmas special.

Consider the folks at Pierce Auto Center. To help the Lions give presents to all the community’s children, the auto center offered a great deal on an oil change with every donation to the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots drive. If you opted to pay the full price, that difference was donated to the annual toy drive. In its fifth year, the effort to “Cram the Ram” is part of Pierce’s determination to help the Lions and help the community’s children.

That’s what this community does, everyone pitching in, everyone doing what they can — all to help each other out.

Today’s total adds up to $3,036.11, bringing the total so far this year to $30,077.75. The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years, but time is running short.

Generous donations were received from: Melinda E. and Paul H. Nieman, $250; Randall J. and Darcy McDougall, $1,000; John Moe, $500; Jack and Katie Raynor (in memory of their grandson Cam A. Raynor), $25; Jill M. and David A. Nygren, $50; Larry and Linda Bergo, $300;aAnonymous, $150; Fred and Sally Park, $250; Robert B. Thompson, $100; Doris A. Nuss and Kevin D. Reynolds (in memory of Orville Nuss), $100; Ace Septic Service LLC (Vern and Pam Caven), $100; Biomedical Innovations team, $50; Lea and James Cody, $100; and from area coin jars at Arnies Conoco, $27.34; and Samuels Conoco, $33.77.

So, if you can, donate what you can and help the Lions help our children have a merry Christmas.

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.

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.