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”

With less than a week to go, American clergyman Thomas S. Monson's comment about Christmas seems more applicable than ever.

It reminds me of a recent study which found Idahoans to be among the most generous in the country. But you don't need to the former president of the Church of

Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to know that. You just need to look at the Sandpoint Lions’ annual Toys for Tots program for all the proof you need.

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 growh 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 we don’t need a national study to give us those facts when we can instead take 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.

To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $37,528.27 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.

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