A 14-year-old youngster had an idea.

What if, Leanne Fan thought, you could take a low-cost headphone device and combine it with machine learning and blue light therapy? Her idea was the device — which earned her grand prize honors at the 2023 3M Young Scientist Challenge — would be an affordable, antibiotic-free way to treat any mid-ear infection, according to a story on the Good News Network website.

After Fan was named a finalist, she was paired with a research specialist at 3M's material laboratory. The pair worked one-on-one to transform the idea from theory into reality.

In October, Fan was one of nine finalists who competed at the 3M headquarters in St. Paul, Minn.

The high school freshman won a $25,000 cash prize, a special destination trip and the title of "America's Top Young Scientist." Fan plans to use some of the prize money to start the patent process.

Like Fan, the Sandpoint Lions just want to make the world — or more specifically, their little corner of the world — a better place. And that means working with the community to raise money to make Christmas bright and merry for all children.

Today’s donations add up to $5,840, bringing the total to $36,770.78.

Generous contributions were received from: Pam and Jeff Clark, $500; Doug and Kirsty Easton, $500; Pam and Jerry Morris (in memory of Phyllis Morris and Jim Lippi), $500; Dennis and Jeannie Yaeger, $100; Douglas and Janice Mueller, $100; Sand Creek Schweitzer Conoco, $2,500;

Edward and Jeanne Bock, $100; William Halamicek, $100; Jay and Marcia Johnson, $100; Greg and Laurel Taylor (in remembrance of Tucker Joesph Taylor), $1,000; Lisa Gerber and Patrick Weny, $40; Linda Roberts, $100; and Steve Wolfe and Beth Goodnight, $200.

The goal for this year’s campaign is $50,000 — the same as it has been in past years. The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

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.

The Lions make the most of the money by shopping bargains, and with the assistance of generous local businesses.

If you know someone, or need help yourself, the Lions are taking applications for the Toys for Tots program. Applications are available at Bonner Community Food Bank and on the door of the Lions Den.

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; the Ponderay Starbucks, and the Ponderay Mountain West Bank.

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