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SANDPOINT — "Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts." Paramahansa Yogananda

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." Leo Buscaglia

"A smile is a curve that sets everything straight." Phyllis Diller.

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” Mother Teresa

“What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.” Joseph Addison

"Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually, are what preserve the heart and secure comfort." Humphry Davy

“A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” Tom Wilson

“You take away all the other luxuries in life, and if you can make someone smile and laugh, you have given the most special gift: happiness.” Brad Garrett

“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” William Arthur Ward

“The catch phrase for the day is ‘Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.’ ” Harvey Ball

"Smiles are the language of love." David Hare.

"But somehow I feel like still it's a gift, and I wonder, how can I give this gift to others? Just work hard, and do whatever I can do, to be that, and to return the love to the fans. I like to give them joy and smiles to them. Give back to them." Bai Ling

If you do a quick search on the Internet to phrases that include the word, “smile,” you’ll find endless website filled with quotes about smiles, their power and their meaning.

But the true power of a smile — its joy, its magic and its light — can be found no further than at the other end of the Sandpoint Lions’ Toys for Tots program.

Each year, the community rallies together with the Lions to ensure more than 900 local youngsters have a chance to open that gift ­— THE gift, the one that is exactly what the wanted, that could only have come from Santa — and unleash a blinding smile of pure joy.

THAT is what the Sandpoint Lions work so hard to accomplish, THAT is what the community digs deep to accomplish. Please consider donating to Toys for Tots and help unleash those smiles.

Today's generous donations come from Lynda Roberts, $1,000; and Shirley Chatfield, $100; for a total of $1,100.

To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $13,483 of the Sandpoint Lion's goal of $50,000 for this year’s Toys for Tots campaign — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by bargain shopping, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

Sign-up applications are available at the Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den at 609 S. Ella Avenue right by the caboose in Lakeview Park. They can also be downloaded at bit.ly/3x7md4o.

Registration started Nov. 1 and ends on Dec. 17. Those filling out the application are reminded to be sure to fill out both pages and return your application promptly.

As last year, the application form includes information for parents to detail a wish list for each of their children as well as their favorite color and TV show or movie. This allows the Lions to fulfill as many wishes as they can.

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 Sandpoint branch, 414 Church St., or at the Ponderay branch, 300 Bonner Mall Way; and at the Ponderay and Sandpoint Starbucks.

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