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 quote by American clergyman Thomas S. Monson is just one of hundreds, if not thousands on brainyquotes.com that touch on generosity. It also reminded me of a recent study which found Idahoans to be among the most generous in the country.

Need proof? Just look at the Sandpoint Lions’ annual Toys for Tots program. 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 growth 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.

Today's donations of $275 take this year's drive to over $10,000 — $10,199 to be exact.

Generous donations were received today from: Ray and Dee Kosse, $100; anonymous, $50; Linda Dallman and Robert Vetromile, $25; and Fred and Barbara Palmer, $100.

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 2020 Toys for Tots program.

Applications are being accepted — more than 40 have been received already. The forms are available at the Lions Den, 609 S. Ella St., Sandpoint, on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; online at the Sandpoint Lions Facebook page, facebook.com/SandpointLionsClub; or at Bonner Community Food Bank, 1707 Culvers Drive, Sandpoint. The deadline to submit an application is Monday, Dec. 14.

Masks are required to enter the Lions Den building or those dropping them off may also place them into the red box next to the door.

Toys may be dropped off at the Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint; Farmhouse Restaurant, 477227 U.S. 95, Ponderay; Columbia Bank — Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St.; and Ponderay branch, 300 Kootenai Cutoff Road; Walmart, 476999 U.S. 95, Ponderay; and North 40, 477181 U.S. 95, Ponderay.

There are a host of coin jars around the community where spare change can be donated. In addition, monetary donations may be dropped off at both branches of Columbia Bank and the Bonner County Daily Bee during normal business hours. 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.