SANDPOINT — For the first time, in as long as I can remember, the Sandpoint Lions did not go over their $50,000 goal for Toys for Tots.

With the final donations counted on New Year’s Eve, the drive ended with $38,783.94 ­— a smidge over $11,000 short of the Lions’ $50,000 goal to ensure a merry Christmas for all of the community’s youth.

To all who donated, thank you. Each little bit goes a long way and helps ensure those who are most vulnerable in our community know they are loved. While this year, donations didn’t hit the Lions’ goal, your donations ­— both large and small — send a powerful message that there is good and kindness and love in the world.

And, on that note, to send us all into the new year on a positive note, consider these quotes on kindness and generosity found on brainyquote.com. They are welcome reminders that the human spirit is a beautiful thing and our love for each other shines bright, even when we think the flame has dimmed or extinguished.

Among my favorite quotes found on the site:

- “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” (Audrey Hepburn, actress and humanitarian)

- “The level of our success is limited only by our imagination and no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.” (Aesop, author)

- “It’s also selfish because it makes you feel good when you help others. I’ve been helped by acts of kindness from strangers. That’s why we’re here, after all, to help others.” (Carol Burnett, actress)

- “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” (Albert Schweitzer, theologian)

- “It takes generosity to discover the whole through others. If you realize you are only a violin, you can open yourself up to the world by playing your role in the concert.” (Jacques Yves Cousteau, explorer)

- “Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.” (Dennis Prager, journalist)

- “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” (Calvin Coolidge, U.S. politician and president)

- “There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart — and our neighbors as ourselves.” (Thomas S. Monson, American clergyman)

- Kindness, tolerance, integrity, modesty, generosity — these are attributes that events permit us. They are our holiday moods, and we are as proud of them as of the fine clothes we have hung away to wear on occasions. (Ben Hecht, writer)

- True generosity is an offering; given freely and out of pure love. No strings attached. No expectations. Time and love are the most valuable possession you can share. (Suze Orman, American author and financial advisor)

The goal for this year’s campaign was $50,000 — the same as it has been in the past years with the funds helping the Sandpoint Lions Club — with the assistance of generous local businesses — take advantage of all of the shopping bargains to be found following the holidays.

Each year, through their Toys for Tots drive, the Sandpoint Lions Club provides free new toys for all children who qualify and live 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’d still like to donate, donations may be mailed to the Sandpoint Lions Club, Box 414, Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Information: Sandpoint Lions Club, 208-263-4118

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.