A prolific doodler in high school, Norman Greenstein dreamed of being an artist.

However, when he showed his work to the dean of an art school, the man dismissed Greenstein's work.

"‘The problem with modern art is you can spit on a canvas and call it art’ — that’s what he thought of my artwork, so I didn’t do it,” Greenstein told the Good News Network website.

Wanting to travel, but not having a lot of money, he told Good Morning America that he joined the Air Force. He put dreams of art aside and focused on building a life. He trained as a social worker, and he and his wife raised their three children.

Responsibilities took the front seat while dreams of an artistic career were firmly pushed into the background.

Then, in 2008, the television show said Greenstein was diagnosed with Parkinson's and his world changed. Then a few years later, his wife was diagnosed with brain cancer and from her serving as his coach, Greenstein told GMA that he became hers.

"I didn't have time to sit around and feel sorry for myself," he told the show's reporter who interviewed him. "I only had Parkinson's disease. Could be worse."

It was at this point that Greenstein let himself wonder, "what if" — what if he let art back into his life.

"I actually remember Gabe and I had a discussion on Crystal Mountain about art and I really felt inspired by our conversation," he told the reporter. "Then I started painting."

He hasn't looked back since.

He's taken classes, painted hundreds of works and had his pieces showcased at local galleries.

"They treated me not as someone with Parkinson's," he said of the galleries' response to his work. "They treated me as an artist."

Portions of the sales of his artwork — and a book about his journey to becoming an artist — go toward Parkinson's research foundations.

If he could share a message with others, it would be to not give up, Greenstein told the GMA reporter.

"If you are lucky enough to get some recognition, try to do some good with it," he told her.

And like Norm Greenstein, the Sandpoint Lions use their recognition in the community make the lives of the community's youngsters better — especially at Christmas through their annual Toys for Tots campaign.

Today's generous donations total $2,487 and come from Ronald and Diane Nelson, $100; Kim Keaton and Julie Reista-Keaton; and the Sand Bar auction, $2,287. To date, the annual Christmas drive has raised $68,348.46 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.

While the Lions' target has been hit, please consider donating if you haven't already. The money you donate will help the Lions help even more children and help them take of bargains and specials thanks to 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 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